This coming Monday is Labor Day. “The common misconception is that since Labor Day is a national holiday, everyone gets the day off. Nothing could be further from the truth. While the first Labor Day was created by striking, the idea of a special holiday for workers was easy for politicians to support. It was
easy because proclaiming a holiday, like Mother’s Day, costs legislators nothing and benefits them by currying favor with voters. In 1887, Oregon, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey all declared a special legal holiday in September to celebrate workers. Within 12 years, half the states in the country recognized Labor Day as a holiday. It became a national holiday in June 1894
when President Grover Cleveland signed the Labor Day bill into law. While most people interpreted this as recognizing the day as a national vacation, Congress’ proclamation covers only federal employees. It is up to each state to declare its own legal holidays.” (from the Conversation website.)
In the book of Hebrews, the writer shares with us that there is a day and a time coming when all people, that is who are Christ followers, will receive an eternal rest from their labors. The writer calls this a “Sabbath rest.” Hebrews 4.9-10, “9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”
This past summer there were two famous Christian leaders who passed into their Sabbath rest, resting from all their work for the Kingdom. “John MacArthur Jr. (June 19, 1939 – July 14, 2025) was an American Calvinist Baptist pastor, theologian, author, and broadcaster. He was the founder of Grace to You, a nationally syndicated radio and television Bible teaching program. He was also the longtime pastor of Grace Community Church, a non-denominational church in Sun Valley, California from 1969 until his death in 2025. MacArthur was known for his advocacy of expository preaching, and was recognized by Christianity Today as one of the most influential Christian preachers of his era.”
“James Dobson Jr. (April 21, 1936 – August 21, 2025) was an American evangelical Christian author, psychologist and founder of Focus on the Family, which he led from 1977 until 2010. In the 1980’s, he was ranked as one of the most influential spokesmen for conservative social positions in American public life. Although never an ordained minister, he was called “the nation’s most influential evangelical leader” by The New York Times.”
Although these are famous people who are now experiencing their Rest, we have known others. This year Sandy Harlacker, Gerald and Ruth Cook also passed into their Sabbath Rest. They also labored for the Lord and the Lord rewarded them by calling them home and proclaiming that their work for the Kingdom had come to an end. As we celebrate on Monday, let us remember that we all have been called to be workmen for the Kingdom. Let us be comforted that our work is never in vain. Let us remember that there is a Sabbath Rest that is waiting for us.
P.S. the Church office will be closed on Labor Day!
In Christ Alone
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