Sabbath
We live in a fast-paced society in which people brag about their lack
of sleep and the schedules that keep them going "24/7." Our
culture promotes busyness as a measurement of status, wealth and quality
of life. But that's not the way God created human beings to function.
God "rested" from the work of creation (see Creation), and he
is a model for the regular habit of rest that the Bible calls the "Sabbath."
In
the Ten Commandments (see Command) God set apart the Sabbath (Saturday)
as a special day for people to abstain from work and refresh their souls
- this even included mothers (but not priests). One of the reasons God
sent the Israelites into captivity (see Captivity) was because they neglected
to keep God's Sabbath for themselves and for their land. By the time of
Christ, the Sabbath was kept religiously. Unfortunately the people kept
it with such stringent rules that it was a burden instead of a respite.
Jesus shocked the Pharisees (see Pharisees) when he didn't keep all their
minute Sabbath rules. After Christ's resurrection, Christians began meeting
together on Sunday - the Lord's Day - the day of the week on which Jesus
rose from the dead. Because Jesus fulfilled the entire Law for us, we
are no longer under the Sabbath requirements. But our need for a day of
rest, Christian fellowship and worship still exists.
God
creates the Sabbath to give people the rest they need in order to function
well.
Genesis 2:2
Exodus 20:8-11
Mark 2:27
Keeping the Sabbath is the sign that the nation of Israel is obedient
to God. Unfortunately, the people don't keep the Sabbath.
Levictus 25:5
Isaiah 58:13
Ezekiel 20:12-13
When the Pharisees condemn Jesus for breaking the Sabbath, he
reminds them that he is in charge of the Sabbath. He reiterates the Sabbath's
purpose and rebukes them for missing the greater law of love.
Matthew 21:1-14
Mark 2:23-3:4
Luke 13:14-16
We are no longer under the strict Sabbath keeping requirements.
Instead, our obedience to and trust in God bring us into the spiritual
"rest" (see Rest) God has planned for us.
Hebrews 3:11; 4:3,9-10
|
