The Rest of Completion

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV)

After four years of painstaking labor, Michelangelo finally climbed down from the scaffolding of the Sistine Chapel. His body was weary, his neck stiff from painting above him, but as he stepped back, he saw the masterpiece in its entirety—a vision brought to life. It wasn’t exhaustion that made him stop—it was completion.

While I’ve yet to travel to the Vatican to see it in person, several years ago, Janice and I went to a traveling exhibit of the Art of the Vatican in St. Louis. One of the works on display was a replica of Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam. Seeing that image—the outstretched hands of God and Adam, the moment of divine life being imparted—was a reminder that true rest comes not from mere inactivity, but from stepping back to recognize the beauty and purpose of creation.

In Genesis 2:2-3, we see God doing the same. He doesn’t rest because He is tired—He rests because creation is finished. The Sabbath is not merely about stopping work; it is about recognizing divine order and purpose, acknowledging the completeness of God’s design.

Throughout Scripture, we see that God does not grow weary. Isaiah 40:28 declares, “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary.” Likewise, Psalm 121:4 reminds us, “Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”

God’s rest in Genesis was not about recovery—it was about completion. He set aside the seventh day, blessed it, and made it holy (Hebrew: qadash, meaning "sanctified, set apart"). The Sabbath was woven into creation itself, a rhythm of work and rest that reflects divine order.

When Jesus came, He challenged rigid interpretations of the Sabbath. In Mark 2:27, He said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” He healed on the Sabbath, showing that rest is not about legalism but about renewal. Jesus fulfilled the law, offering a deeper rest, not just physical, but spiritual.

In our busy, purpose-driven, fast-paced world, we often equate rest with laziness. But Sabbath is not about inactivity—it’s about intentionality. It’s a time to pause, reflect, recognize, and rejoice in God’s order in our lives. Whether we observe it on Saturday, Sunday, or another day, the principle remains: we need moments to step back, acknowledge God’s work, and find renewal in Him.

Lord, thank you for the gift of Sabbath—a time to pause, reflect, and recognize your divine order. Help us to embrace rest not as an obligation, but as an opportunity to draw closer to you. May we find renewal in your presence and trust in the rhythm you have set for our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim

You can view Michelangelo’s famous painting here.

BibleHub. (n.d.). Hebrew Lexicon: Qadash (6942). Retrieved May 10, 2025, from https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6942.htm