The Sabbath rest in Christ

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.” Hebrews 4:9-10
The first mention in Scripture of the Sabbath is at the creation of the world. As we know, God created the world in six days and rested (ceased from His work) on the seventh day, the Sabbath. This was not because God was tired, but because He was setting a pattern for man to follow through the ages to follow (see Ex. 20:8-11).
So what place does the Sabbath have for the Christian today? Is it Saturday or Sunday? Let’s see what the Scriptures say: “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” (Rom. 14:5). “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” (Col. 2:16-17).
Jesus kept the Law in its entirity. He fulfilled it all – and now, if we are in Him, we are counted as if we have kept the Law perfectly, as He did. The Sabbath day, like the sacrifices and the feasts, was a picture pointing towards the time once Christ had come. My point is this: now, our entire life in Christ is a Sabbath. This doesn’t mean that we can lie around in bed all day. But now we can rest in the finished work of Christ. Our salvation is provided through Him – we don’t (and can’t) obtain it by working for it.
How about you? Have you entered this rest, that God has provided for His people through Jesus Christ? Or are you still working, trying to please God through your own efforts? Today’s verse would encourage you to cease from your own works and enter God’s rest.