‘Flourishing in Faith: Exploring Sabbath, Jubilee, and the Identity of Jesus’
Reflection by Whitley Principal, Rev Associate Professor Darrell Jackson
As I reflect on my recent experience as a speaker at the first of three lectures for the Kew Baptist Church Hub Series, it’s clear that the event held deep significance not only for me but also for the congregation. The series, based on the Gospel of Mark, tackled the question ‘Who do people say Jesus is? This question serves as a powerful study into the identity of Christ. Alongside two other speakers, Kimberley Smith from the BUV and Tim Meyers, the CEO/Principal at MST, we tackled this question and provided insights into the life and ministry of Jesus.
The passage I focused on was from Mark Chapter 2, where Jesus and his disciples are criticised for picking grain on the Sabbath. This led to an exploration of what Sabbath truly means. Traditionally, we often think of Sabbath merely as a day of rest, whether on Saturday or Sunday, but in reflecting on the scripture and the creation story in Genesis, I believe that Sabbath is more than just a day; it is a state of being. It is an invitation into an experience of flourishing, of living fully in God’s presence, a state where we encounter God’s rest and wholeness.
This led me to consider how early followers of Jesus, particularly Paul and the other first Christians, reconciled Jesus’ actions with their understanding of the law. How could Jesus, who appeared to break the law, be the Messiah? The early church had to grapple with these questions, especially as they began to integrate both Jews and Gentiles into one body, all while staying faithful to the teachings of Jesus.
The Hebrew Bible concept of Jubilee also emerged as a critical part of this reflection. Jubilee, with its themes of debt release, setting captives free, and caring for the marginalised, reflects the heart of Jesus’ message. Just as the Sabbath invites us into rest, so too does the Jubilee bring a vision of flourishing and justice.
What most inspired me about this experience was the vitality of the church community. There were 150 young adults present, engaging deeply with the themes in the discussion sessions that followed.
It was a privilege to be part of such a thoughtful and engaged discussion and I, along with the Whitley team look forward to more events like these in the future.