A Special Interval For Rest And Worship

During the encounter Moses experienced with God on Mount Sinai he received instructions with respect to the Dwelling and laws to govern the Israelites. 

In the 31st chapter of Exodus Moses designated two skilled craftsmen, Bezalel and Oholiab, as lead designers of the Dwelling and all the special articles linked to it.. They could be trusted to construct it, and they also possessed the skill to communicate all phases of the work to others until it was completed.

Moses had become an experienced leader with a vision from God. He esteemed those wise and talented persons whose experience suggested the knowledge to carry God's vision forward.

Apparently Moses welcomed with humility and grace the prospect of involving others while not absolving himself of moral responsibility for what he was charged to accomplish.

Moses understood that a major aspect of his assignment throughout the design and construction of the Dwelling was to ensure that the work did not prevent persons from two essential activities: worship and rest.

Everyone within the Israelite camp was to observe the Sabbath whether they thought it was necessary or unnecessary. As in all work, the meticulous design and effort involved in constructing the Dwelling would have led to strain and heightened levels of tension for all and especially among those involved.

Mental and physical rest would have eased certain tensions. However, bodily rest alone would never have addressed or ameliorated deficits within the soul. The spiritual need for genuine worship promoted a wholeness of being that inspired perfect harmony with the will of God. In the Israelite community the Sabbath addressed this need for harmonious balance.


Attentiveness to the Sabbath among the Israelites seems to also seems to parallel our contemporary need for physical rest and spiritual release. The constructive journey of life itself can be filled with the misery of anguish and tension of uncertainty. In response to this soul-emptying experience Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 - 30 (NIV), "Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me...for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." 

His offer is that of a very special and unique Sabbath that empowers us for all of life’s challenges. In him we find God through whom all of our commitment and dedication is entirely rewarding and eternally worthwhile.

On the Significance of Lent

Lent derives from the lengthening of daytime daylight hours as we progress from the neglect of winter to the new dawn of spring. It also comes from a Latin word that means ‘forty’, and is approximately forty days or six weeks before Easter Sunday beginning on Ash Wednesday. 

Many celebrate the season of lent through special vows or promises, and personal denial of things they typically need or to which they have become accustomed. When entering the lenten season we also often think of prayer and fasting. Rarely do we seek atonement with an emphasis upon repentance. Yet atonement for a life not lived as well as it might be is the radical benefit we gain when we reflect upon our relationship with Christ at lent.

Lent draws its meaning from how Christ lived during his earthly sojourn. In the same way that Moses and Elijah experienced forty days and nights of extended solitude with God, so Jesus endured temptation for a prolonged period of forty days (Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1: 12-13 , Luke 4: 1 - 2) in the wilderness under the influence of the Holy Spirit. 

He did not need to seek atonement for any misdeeds he had done, but was obviously in preparation for ministry - that is, a life of service to others. It was this time that would fortify his will to take on the perennial problems and fresh dilemmas that were unfolding within the social and spiritual order. With this in mind, there are at-least three reasons why I feel all persons should make a personal commitment to the season of lent in fasting and prayer.

• First, Jesus knew the importance of prayer and fasting in order to become more self-conscious, genuinely reflective and self-aware.
  
• Second, he fasted to become socially and spiritually aware. There are too many times we are saddled with concerns that have little bearing upon who we should be and those contributions to society that are necessary.
  
• Third, he prayed and fasted to become proactive in his reaction to the conditions he would have to face. 

To be purposeful in life involves more than a reactionary response to what we encounter, but a proactive response to shape that which we wish to foster. And to achieve all three, we need to be filled with God’s presence and released from strongholds that build resistance to faith.

Please join us in celebrating lent over the next few weeks. Let’s see what new things happen that transform us and our community.