1 QUOTE

“You are worrying and troubling yourself, and you can do nothing; go to sleep."

– Charles Spurgeon

1 NOTE

Did you know that in the Bible our day begins at night? For most of us, our day begins when we wake up in the morning. But in the original creation account day begins in the evening. This is why our Jewish friends begin their Sabbath walking to synagogues on Fridays at dusk. Where is this written in the text? The Genesis author (Moses) provides a summary statement after each day of creation, “And there was evening and there was morning, the first day” (Genesis 1:5). The pattern is repeated for each of the first six days of creation. Understanding day begins after the sun goes down is a true game changer. Instead of waking up nervous about the great challenges in the day ahead, we are invited to wake up with anticipation because God was putting in work while we were asleep. This is a revolutionary claim. Again, where is this found in the Book?

Daniel Fuller (author of The Unity of the Bible) believed Isaiah 64:4 was the most important verse in the Old Testament, “From of old no one has heard, or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.” We wait. God works. There is no other God who works for those who wait for him. In the New Testament, Jesus put on the towel and washed the disciples’ feet. When Peter refused Jesus serving him, Jesus declared this issue was a deal breaker, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me” (John 13:9). We wait. Jesus serves. There is no other God who washes the feet of his followers. 

Stephen Sample, former President of University of Southern California and author of The Contrarians Guide to Leadership, believed his primary leadership task was ‘doing everything I could to help my direct reports succeed.’ The secret to Sample’s success was working for those who worked for him. So it with God. This is the heart of Sabbath rest (and sleep). Jesus, the greatest servant of all, loves it when we humbly ask him to do the work only He can accomplish.

1 QUESTION

Because day begins at night, before bed I kneel down and ask Jesus to put in work on something specific. In the morning, I wake up rested, refreshed and eager to learn about God’s work while I slept. This week, will you ask Jesus to wash your feet to begin your day?

Until Next Tuesday,

John