Embracing Rest and Service in Holy Week
Summary
In our gathering today, we reflect on the profound journey of Holy Week, culminating in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We draw parallels between the disciples' experiences and our own lives, emphasizing the importance of being present with Christ in every moment. As Jesus washed the disciples' feet, we are reminded of the call to serve one another with love and humility. This act of servitude is a new commandment to love as Jesus loves us, inviting us to kneel as servants and come to the table with our fellow disciples.
We explore the significance of sleep as a spiritual practice, recognizing that our routines and habits around rest can reflect our priorities and values. The world often demands constant activity and productivity, but we are reminded that true rest is found in trusting God's presence and care. Our sleep routines may change throughout life, but the constant is God's unwavering presence, even as we rest. This is a humbling reminder of our human frailty and our need for a Savior.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus exemplifies the tension between the need for rest and the call to be vigilant in prayer. The disciples' struggle to stay awake highlights the challenge of balancing rest with spiritual alertness. Jesus' parable of the ten bridesmaids further underscores the importance of being prepared and in tune with God, not just physically awake but spiritually ready.
As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are invited to find sustenance and nourishment in Christ, enabling us to stay awake when called and to rest when needed. This sacred meal is a reminder of the wholeness Christ offers, allowing us to be fully present and alert, as well as to find true rest. In this time of reflection, we are encouraged to live in the tension of Holy Week, understanding the depth of Jesus' sacrifice and the call to grow in our relationship with God and one another.
Key Takeaways:
- The act of Jesus washing the disciples' feet serves as a powerful reminder of the call to love and serve one another with humility, reflecting the new commandment to love as Jesus loves us. This act challenges us to embody servitude in our daily lives. [25:22]
- Sleep is not just a physical necessity but a spiritual practice that reflects our priorities and values. By trusting in God's presence and care, we can find true rest and avoid the world's demands for constant activity and productivity. [36:55]
- The Garden of Gethsemane illustrates the tension between the need for rest and the call to be vigilant in prayer. Jesus' experience reminds us of the importance of balancing rest with spiritual alertness, staying prepared and in tune with God. [40:11]
- The parable of the ten bridesmaids emphasizes the need to be spiritually prepared and in tune with God, not just physically awake. This readiness allows us to be present with Christ in every moment, seeking a deeper relationship with Him. [45:45]
- Partaking in the Lord's Supper offers sustenance and nourishment in Christ, enabling us to stay awake when called and to rest when needed. This sacred meal reminds us of the wholeness Christ offers, allowing us to be fully present and alert, as well as to find true rest. [48:52]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Gathering in Worship
- [02:15] - The Call to Serve
- [05:00] - Register for the Beach Retreat
- [07:45] - Reflecting on Daily Practices
- [12:00] - The Importance of Sleep
- [15:30] - Changing Sleep Routines
- [20:00] - Spiritual Significance of Rest
- [25:22] - The World's Demands vs. God's Rest
- [30:00] - Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
- [36:55] - The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
- [40:11] - Being Spiritually Prepared
- [45:45] - The Lord's Supper
- [48:52] - Finding Wholeness in Christ
- [53:29] - Prayer and Reflection
- [56:19] - Closing Prayer and Doxology
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 13:1-17 - Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet
2. Matthew 26:36-46 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
3. Matthew 25:1-13 - The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
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Observation Questions:
1. What actions did Jesus take to demonstrate servitude and love to His disciples during the Last Supper? How did the disciples react to this act? [25:22]
2. In the Garden of Gethsemane, what emotions did Jesus express, and how did the disciples respond to His request to stay awake and pray? [40:11]
3. What is the significance of the oil in the parable of the ten bridesmaids, and how did it affect the outcome for the bridesmaids? [45:45]
4. How does the sermon describe the world's view on rest and productivity, and how does this contrast with the spiritual practice of rest? [36:55]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus washing the disciples' feet challenge our understanding of leadership and servitude in our daily lives? [25:22]
2. What does the disciples' struggle to stay awake in Gethsemane reveal about human frailty and the need for spiritual vigilance? [40:11]
3. In what ways does the parable of the ten bridesmaids illustrate the importance of spiritual preparedness and readiness? [45:45]
4. How can the practice of rest be seen as an act of faith and trust in God's care, according to the sermon? [36:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you found it difficult to serve others with humility. How can Jesus' example of washing the disciples' feet inspire you to serve in your community this week? [25:22]
2. Consider your current sleep routine. How might it reflect your priorities and values? What changes can you make to ensure your rest aligns with trusting in God's presence? [36:55]
3. Think about a situation where you felt spiritually unprepared. How can the parable of the ten bridesmaids motivate you to be more spiritually vigilant in your daily life? [45:45]
4. Identify a moment in your life when you struggled to balance rest with spiritual alertness. How can Jesus' experience in Gethsemane guide you in finding this balance? [40:11]
5. How can participating in the Lord's Supper deepen your understanding of finding sustenance and rest in Christ? What steps can you take to be more present during this sacred meal? [48:52]
6. Reflect on the world's demands for constant activity. How can you create space in your life to prioritize spiritual rest and avoid burnout? [36:55]
7. Consider a relationship in your life that could benefit from more love and humility. What practical steps can you take this week to embody the new commandment to love as Jesus loves us? [25:22]
Devotional
Day 1: Servitude as a Reflection of Christ's Love
The act of Jesus washing the disciples' feet is a profound demonstration of love and humility. It challenges us to embody servitude in our daily lives, reflecting the new commandment to love as Jesus loves us. This act is not just about physical service but about adopting a posture of humility and love in all our interactions. By serving others, we mirror the love of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. This call to servitude invites us to kneel as servants and come to the table with our fellow disciples, fostering a community of love and humility. [25:22]
John 13:14-15 (ESV): "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you."
Reflection: Who in your life can you serve today in a way that reflects Christ's love and humility? How can you make servitude a daily practice?
Day 2: Rest as a Spiritual Practice
Sleep is not merely a physical necessity but a spiritual practice that reflects our priorities and values. In a world that demands constant activity and productivity, true rest is found in trusting God's presence and care. Our routines and habits around rest can reveal what we truly value. By prioritizing rest, we acknowledge our human frailty and our need for a Savior. This humbling recognition allows us to find true rest in God's unwavering presence, even as we sleep. [36:55]
Psalm 4:8 (ESV): "In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
Reflection: How can you adjust your sleep routine to better reflect your trust in God's care and presence? What changes can you make to prioritize rest as a spiritual practice?
Day 3: Balancing Rest and Spiritual Vigilance
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus exemplifies the tension between the need for rest and the call to be vigilant in prayer. The disciples' struggle to stay awake highlights the challenge of balancing rest with spiritual alertness. This balance is crucial for staying prepared and in tune with God. Jesus' experience in the garden reminds us of the importance of being spiritually awake, ready to respond to God's call, while also recognizing our need for physical rest. [40:11]
Mark 14:37-38 (ESV): "And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, 'Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to balance rest and spiritual vigilance? How can you create a routine that allows for both physical rest and spiritual alertness?
Day 4: Spiritual Readiness and Preparedness
The parable of the ten bridesmaids emphasizes the need to be spiritually prepared and in tune with God, not just physically awake. This readiness allows us to be present with Christ in every moment, seeking a deeper relationship with Him. Being spiritually prepared means cultivating a heart that is attentive to God's voice and ready to respond to His call. It involves a daily commitment to prayer, reflection, and aligning our lives with God's will. [45:45]
Matthew 25:10-13 (ESV): "And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to ensure you are spiritually prepared and in tune with God? How can you cultivate a heart that is ready to respond to His call?
Day 5: Finding Wholeness in Christ
Partaking in the Lord's Supper offers sustenance and nourishment in Christ, enabling us to stay awake when called and to rest when needed. This sacred meal is a reminder of the wholeness Christ offers, allowing us to be fully present and alert, as well as to find true rest. In this time of reflection, we are encouraged to live in the tension of Holy Week, understanding the depth of Jesus' sacrifice and the call to grow in our relationship with God and one another. [48:52]
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
Reflection: How does participating in the Lord's Supper deepen your understanding of Christ's sacrifice and the wholeness He offers? In what ways can you seek to be more present and alert in your relationship with Him?
Quotes
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So where have we been in all of this? What was the point in going through these chapters of the moments of our day? What was the point in that? And hopefully there's been something about your day that you've been able to add a simple, sacred daily practice, seeking God in that mundane and often robotic moments of the day, right? [00:25:22] (30 seconds)
And many of us have a routine of how we wind down our evenings before we go to sleep. Kind of what helps us get to that space, right? Some of you have better routines than some of us others. Some of you can just think about going to sleep and you're asleep, right, Connor? Who took several naps the other day downstairs. By the way, you snore just a little bit. But what? [00:27:00] (30 seconds)
the way we fall asleep how we fall asleep the best routine that we use to fall asleep for us changes as we grow in our lives but the constant for us is where God is when we are asleep where God is when we are asleep [00:32:40] (27 seconds)
almost seven weeks ago six seven weeks ago we participated in ash Wednesday you came up and we placed the ashes are still here we place the sign of the cross on on your forehead and and i said uh from dust you came to dust you so you shall return you are a child of god and god loves you and this was a sign and a symbol to recognize that as a human being i know from whom i am created from what i am created and know that i am a human being it's a humbling experience to remember i am not god i am not masterful as god i am not a savior for anyone but i am a vessel in which god can work through it's a humble it was a humble reminder and hopefully is still a humble reminder for us today that we are human beings and that we are frail and that we are created from dust it's a reminder that something [00:33:07] (73 seconds)
that brings about a vulnerability that we need a savior that we need a relationship with jesus christ and so when we sleep that is also a reminder that we are living into our faith and vulnerable enough to go to sleep knowing that our savior is present that god is at work that we are not alone the author she says but in recalling our frailty we get to practice in the gentlest of ways relying on god's mercy and care for us [00:34:18] (51 seconds)
but what does the world say what does the world have to say about all of this the world the world says that we are to be busy and active and all the time moving right we're supposed to be productive and that what we are doing what we are doing is to uh what is it we do in business uh we create something and then we want uh we need something in return or because we do so much there's a rate of return all of this stuff right we're always supposed to be active and moving and doing something non -stop always moving so these are uh live pictures of new york city and it is it is really live but it'll change around uh periodically you can see down there in the corner traffic but if you look at these large cities new york or chicago or uh la tokyo london right this is what we picture of what this is how the world is this is how the world is supposed to be always active never sleeping go go go go go go because if we aren't then we're missing out right fomo is that what it is [00:35:13] (99 seconds)
So when do we sleep? When do we rest? Author continues, If it is hard for us to believe that God is at work in us and in the world, even while we sleep, it reveals who we truly think is the mover and maker of our lives and spiritual health. [00:37:20] (27 seconds)
If we cannot believe that God is active and moving in the world while we are asleep, man, how highly we think of ourselves. [00:37:49] (17 seconds)
in this passage we might look at jesus as being a little bit upset with the disciples that he has taken with him a little bit further than the other disciples it was him and three others they went a little bit further to into the garden and he asked them to keep vigil with him but we might think that jesus is angry and frustrated and disappointed and then falling asleep or or getting sleep while he asked them to stay vigilant and be present with him [00:41:55] (34 seconds)
he says this then the kingdom of heaven will be like this ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom five of them were foolish and five were wise when the foolish took their lamps they took no oil with them but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps as the bridegroom was delayed all of them became drowsy and slept but at midnight there was a shout look here's the bridegroom come out to meet him then all of those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps the foolish said to the wise give us some of your oil for our lamps are going out but the wise replied no there will not be enough for you and for us you have better go to the dealers and buy some oil for yourselves and while they went to buy it the bridegroom came and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet and the door was shut later the other bridesmaids came also saying lord lord open to us but he replied truly i tell you i do not know you keep awake therefore for you know neither the day nor the hour [00:43:54] (80 seconds)
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