I was asked recently if I observe a "Sabbath." My reply was in the affirmative, but a little explanation was required. I do not observe a day according to the demands or confines of the Mosaic Law, but look to Jesus Christ who IS my Sabbath. Colossians 2:16-17 says, "So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a
festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of
Christ." As a follower of Jesus, my call is to look to Him and follow His lead, trusting the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth according to God's promise.
Knowing the Sabbath observed by the Hebrews is a shadow of what Christ is the reality changes the way Christians view every day: every day is fitting to be about our LORD's business, and our rest is found in Him. Jesus did not call Gentiles to live as Jews or Jews to cast aside adherance to the Law because they could, but created a new creation of the two groups, the Church of which He is the Head. The Pharisees watched Jesus like hawks, seeking any occasion by which to accuse Him. On the Sabbath they were particularly vigilant because He spurned their extra-biblical traditions. Though there was no prohibition to heal the sick on the Sabbath, they considered such a thing unlawful work.
Mark 3:1-5 reads, "And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward." 4 Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other." It is always lawful to do good and save life, and Jesus proved it with this restoration of the man with the withered hand. Instead of defining our observation of the Sabbath by what we do not do, it is to be through looking to Jesus and walking by faith according to His leading.
Man was not created for the Sabbath, but this intermission and rest from labour was provided by God for the benefit of man. God rested after the creation of the world not because He was tired but because He knew working man and beast would be. He knew we needed reminders of who He is, His great power, and the gift of rest found only by His grace. Jesus said in Matthew 11:29-30, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Knowing the Sabbath observed by the Hebrews is a shadow of what Christ is the reality changes the way Christians view every day: every day is fitting to be about our LORD's business, and our rest is found in Him. Jesus did not call Gentiles to live as Jews or Jews to cast aside adherance to the Law because they could, but created a new creation of the two groups, the Church of which He is the Head. The Pharisees watched Jesus like hawks, seeking any occasion by which to accuse Him. On the Sabbath they were particularly vigilant because He spurned their extra-biblical traditions. Though there was no prohibition to heal the sick on the Sabbath, they considered such a thing unlawful work.
Mark 3:1-5 reads, "And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward." 4 Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other." It is always lawful to do good and save life, and Jesus proved it with this restoration of the man with the withered hand. Instead of defining our observation of the Sabbath by what we do not do, it is to be through looking to Jesus and walking by faith according to His leading.
Man was not created for the Sabbath, but this intermission and rest from labour was provided by God for the benefit of man. God rested after the creation of the world not because He was tired but because He knew working man and beast would be. He knew we needed reminders of who He is, His great power, and the gift of rest found only by His grace. Jesus said in Matthew 11:29-30, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
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