Easter Saturday Reflection: 
​By Major Graham Bailey

Click on each image and the Bible reading will be read to you. 

Scripture Reading 1:  Genesis 2:1-3

How do you find yourself responding to this unwelcome slowdown of life? What thoughts and emotions do you experience? What fears are you aware of?

​God's rest in Genesis 2 is all about filling a sacred space with his divine presence and celebrating the beauty and abundance of creation. The Sabbath practice is a way for humans to remember God’s presence and his ideal purpose for creation. What are some of the simple things you can celebrate or are grateful for? Who can you share that with this coming week?

Scripture Reading 3: Matthew 11: 28 to 12:14
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Jesus says that rest is found in him—specifically in following him or learning from him. What could this rest look like in your own life practically? What brings you life, makes you thrive, and/or allows you to trust and rest in God?

Jesus is not doing away with the concept of Sabbath but was defining what it meant: that the purpose of the Sabbath was mercy, and harmony or wholeness, not legalism. Does this change how you think about resting in the current situation in any way?

Scripture Reading 2: Exodus 16:1-36

To observe Sabbath is to rest from one’s work. But work is a good and productive thing throughout Scripture, for example, it is one of the reasons God places the human in the garden of Eden—“to work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). So why would God command a Sabbath rest from work?The first Sabbath observance takes place in the wilderness in a time of scarcity. God wants Israel not to hoard or try to control, but to trust that he is their true source of provision and life. In what ways do you try to control things in your life or environment that are not in your control? Take a moment to let go of these things and commit to trusting God to provide instead.

Song:  Salvation Army Songbook 456 - Dear Lord and Father of Mankind.  Especially verses 3, 4 and 5

Click on the image above, the song will start and you can sing along as the words will also appear.
The celebration will come in the morning, but for now, let’s commune with the Lord…….