you can rest.

I keep thinking about this email I got from Jess Connolly. In it, she points out that in the week leading up to the cross, where Jesus would make the statement, “It is finished,” He rested.

Jess writes: “During the most significant and impactful days of His earthly life, with hours to spare, so much more teaching to do, so many more people to heal, Jesus rested.”

When I think about the week leading up to a big event, rest is not something that comes to mind. Hustle? Yes. Sprinting to the finish line? Yes. A mad dash to get everything done or to fit in as much as possible? Yes. Rest? No. In fact, I think about long days, fewer hours of sleep, and coffee. All the coffee.

I know that Jesus kept a slower pace. I think about it a lot. But I’ve never thought about how, in the final days before everything changed, Jesus was still not rushing around, trying to fit everything in. He kept His pace.

I think it’s because He knew it wasn’t all on Him to do with His own two hands. He was faithful and obedient to do what was His to do — to heal, to teach, to go to the cross. But He knew the real, transformative work was done by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus rested because He recognized His place within the divine partnership. He knew it wasn’t all on Him. And, as Jess also points out, if it’s true for Jesus, it’s true for us too.

Wherever you are — whether you’re leading up to something or you’re just living your day-to-day life — take it from Jesus. You can rest.

The power of God is in you, even on a Thursday.