Coram Deo ~

Looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview

Jesus Rested on Saturday ~ a guest article by Tammy Pence

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Throughout the course of church history, many people have taught that Jesus’ spirit descended into hell after His death on the cross.  Basing this idea on Ephesians 4:8–10 and 1 Peter 3:18–20, feel free to study it.  But rest assured that we are fully delivered from the anguish and torment of hell in Christ.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Back to our discussion… what if Jesus rested?  At that time Saturday, the 7th day, was the Sabbath.  Go back to Genesis 2:2-3, “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.  So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all His work that He had done in creation.
When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.  John 19:30

So they took His body down
The man who said He was the resurrection and the life
Was lifeless on the ground now
The sky was red His blood along the blade of night

And as the Sabbath fell they shrouded Him in linen
They dressed Him like a wound
The rich man and the women
They laid Him in the tomb

Six days shall You labor, the seventh is the Lord’s
In six, He made the earth and all the heavens
But He rested on the seventh
God rested
He said that it was finished
And the seventh day, He blessed it
God rested

So they laid their hopes away
They buried all their dreams
About the Kingdom He proclaimed
And they sealed them in the grave
As a holy silence fell on all Jerusalem

And the Pharisees were restless
Pilate had no peace
Peter’s heart was reckless
Mary couldn’t sleep
But God rested

Six days shall you labor, the seventh is the Lord’s
In six, He made the earth and all the heavens
But He rested on the seventh
God rested
He worked till it was finished and the seventh day He blessed it
He said that it was good
And the seventh day, He blessed it
God rested

The sun went down, the Sabbath faded
The holy day was done and all Creation waited

“God Rested” by Andrew Peterson

Thoughts for further study, also called – “Things that make you go Hmmmm..”:

  1. “Sin against an infinite being demands an infinite punishment in hell. In a few hours, Jesus suffered and exhausted the infinite punishment that impenitent people cannot exhaust even after an eternity in hell. He could do this because, in His deity as the Son of God, He is an infinite being.” Ligonier Ministries
  2. And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”Having said this, He breathed His last.  Luke 23:46

So… after being forsaken and receiving the wrath of God due for our sins, Jesus still trusted His Father.  He is our Father too.  You can trust Him!

  1. On every day of creation Scripture says, “And there was evening and there was morning…” He didn’t say that on the seventh day – maybe because it is an eternal rest?
  2. If you need a 3 minute sermon to light your fire because your wood’s wet (a.k.a. raise your religious affections), listen to ‘That’s My King’ by Dr. S.M. Lockridge.

Author: Bill Pence

I’m Bill Pence – married to my best friend Tammy, a graduate of Covenant Seminary, St. Louis Cardinals fan, formerly a manager at a Fortune 50 organization, and in leadership at my local church. I am a life-long learner and have a passion to help people develop, and to use their strengths to their fullest potential. I am an INTJ on Myers-Briggs, 3 on the Enneagram, my top five Strengthsfinder themes are: Belief, Responsibility, Learner, Harmony, and Achiever, and my two StandOut strength roles are Creator and Equalizer. My favorite book is the Bible, with Romans my favorite book of the Bible, and Colossians 3:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:21 being my favorite verses. Some of my other favorite books are The Holiness of God and Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul, and Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper. I enjoy music in a variety of genres, including modern hymns, Christian hip-hop and classic rock. My book Called to Lead: Living and Leading for Jesus in the Workplace and Tammy’s book Study, Savor and Share Scripture: Becoming What We Behold are available in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon. amazon.com/author/billpence amazon.com/author/tammypence

One thought on “Jesus Rested on Saturday ~ a guest article by Tammy Pence

  1. Thank you, Jesus!

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