Working for the weekend
by Pastor Reid Matthias
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In his defence, Jesus said to the [Jewish leaders], ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working’ (John 5:17).
When I was younger, I had this misconception about God’s work in creation. Because God’s time in the heavenly workshop was just over six days, and on that seventh day, God rested from his work, I thought this was a perpetual thing. Like God was taking his hands off the steering wheel on Saturdays, just to see what would happen.
When Jesus confronts the leadership regarding the Sabbath and the allowable things, he lets them in on a secret: God’s rest still looks a lot like work. And the work that he is doing is the continual process of bringing all creation back into alignment (Romans 8:21 paraphrased).
But it is not just that God the Father is continuing his work in creation, but the Son continues to reconcile the world and all people to himself. His work is to draw people to the light and hope of the world, turn them inside out, and remind them with a delightful whisper in their ears: You are never alone. I am always with you. Now get out there and live life fully for the Father and each other.
Just like with his Father, in Jesus, there is no deviation from the eternal goal of connecting creation with the sacred wonder of the Trinity.
God’s peace to you as you wander in wonder through the creative genius of the God who continues to work miracles in this world.
Thank you, God, for continuing to work in the world and in me. Continue to speak your encouragement to me as we live the abundant life you’ve set out for us. Amen.
Reid Matthias is the school pastor at St Andrews Lutheran College in Tallebudgera, Queensland. Reid is married to Christine, who is part of the Grow Ministries team. Together, they have raised three incredible daughters, Elsa, Josephine and Greta. Dedicated to the written word, Reid has recently published his fourth novel, Blank Spaces, maintains the blog ireid.blogspot.com and regularly contributes to The Lutheran magazine.
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