As you hopefully can see, the Sabbath is critical not only to God’s intention for the world; but, that it is equally important for our flourishing and the well–being of all of creation. In this article, we have explored not only the Sabbath, but also some of the key components of what the sabbath entails.

But I would also contend that the Sabbath is a signpost to something even greater—the gospel!

Humanity was made on day six of creation. Day seven was that day in which God ceased from productivity and effort. Adam and Eve’s first full day of existence was a day of rest, not work. What a first impression! Social scientists point out that we make up our minds about people in the first 100 milliseconds of our first meeting. Indeed, first impressions matter. Imagine what Adam and Eve learned about God’s generosity from their first impression of his on their first day. Their first knowledge of God and the world God had made was that rest was not an afterthought—rest was of first importance.

Imagine what Adam and Eve learned about God’s generosity from their first impression of him on their first day. Their first knowledge of God and the world God had made was that rest was not an afterthought—rest was of first importance.

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Adam and Eve had accomplished nothing to earn this gratuitous day of rest. Sabbath is, in my estimation, the first image of the gospel in the biblical story. God’s nature always gives rest first; work comes later. This is reflected in all of our lives. Before our lives in this world began, we got nine months of rest in the womb. Before taking up a vocation, we get a few years to just play as children. And before our six days of labor, we receive the day of rest. Karl Barth famously pointed out that the only thing Adam and Eve had to celebrate on that first Sabbath was God and his creation:“That God rested on the seventh day, and blessed and sanctified it, is the first divine action which man is privileged to witness; and that he himself may keep the Sabbath with God, completely free from work, is the first Word spoken to him, the first obligation laid on him.”

Humanity had only God’s goodness to celebrate, nothing more. Work had not even begun. Grace! The nature of God. Praise the God of creation who gives rest to his world before they’ve done a thing to earn it. The God who made the Sabbath is most certainly the God who gives endless grace at the cross.

The Sabbath teaches us that we do not work to please God. Rather, we rest because God is already pleased with us in Christ. Maybe, just maybe, we will be open to receiving the gift of the Sabbath that keeps on giving.