REST - 20 Amazing Bible Words To Know: (ANAPAUO) Part 1

REST - 20 Amazing Bible Words To Know: (ANAPAUO) Part 1

One of the central themes of redemption and salvation is the idea of rest. Rest is mentioned in the first book of the Bible and the last and is prominent throughout the pages in between.

Genesis 2:2

“By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day...”

Revelation 14:13

“‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.’”

That says a lot about the idea of rest. You and I need rest. So we should be asking two questions. First of all, rest from what? Why do we need rest? And why did God rest after creation? That doesn’t make sense, does it? God doesn’t wear out or get tired so how does rest come into the picture?

Second, how do we achieve this rest? If we need rest so much, how does that happen? I mean, Jesus was pretty clear in His condemnation of the religious leaders of His day that they didn’t fully understand the whole idea of rest. If they didn’t get it, how will we?

I think a great way to think about Jesus’s idea of rest is to start with this picture of Him as He looked out over the city of David on His way to the cross. He looked down on the city and began to weep. Then He cried out:

Matthew 23:37-39

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!’”

Tomorrow: what does rest really mean and why is it commanded by God?