REFLECT AND FOCUS ON GOD
Richard Harris
Today's Scripture: “And he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.’” Mark 2:27
Theme: Jesus tells us that the Sabbath was made for us, not to enslave us but to set us free.
AND ON THE SEVENTH DAY
What does today’s Scripture mean that “the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath”? This question can be answered in many ways. These words from the New Covenant are there to remind us that the Sabbath was intended to be a blessing, not a burden to those who observe it. Matthew 12:1-8 states that, as Son of Man, Jesus is claiming to be one and the same as the Lord. He adds that His apostles are entitled to do as they wish on the Sabbath.
WHAT IS THE SABBATH?
There are many Old Covenant references referring to how the people of God violated the Sabbath. They fell short with their gifts and sacrifices, offered but not able to perfect the conscience of the worshipper. The Old Covenant became a lifeless code of moral rules, regulations, and demands. The New Covenant, however, provided God's power to live for Him. Jesus’ sacrifice was given to all those who believe in His redemptive powers. God returned us forgiveness through the One who was sacrificed for us.
From the Old Covenant, we were given the Ten Commandments. Read Exodus 20:1-17. Only the Fourth Commandment tells us to remember something:
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it, you shall not do any work, you, your or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made Heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy” (Exodus 20:8-11, ESV).
The Sabbath is defined as a day of religious observance and abstinence from work, kept by Jewish people from Friday evening to Saturday evening, and by most Christians on Sunday. Sabbath, from shavat, to “cease,” or “desist”, rest. The command, “to remember,” implies something long past that may have been forgotten or ignored. What is defined as the seventh day means different things to different points of view. Leviticus (25:3-5) also refers to the Sabbath as an entire year of rest.
Adam and Eve violated God’s shavat (Sabbath). They did not honor God’s command to not eat of the fruit. Perhaps when God tells us to “Remember” the Sabbath Day, He is referring to that day of original sin and its consequences. This original sin transpired during God’s seventh day of rest … not intended for Him, but for us to reflect and worship. The human occupants of the Garden of Eden did not follow His original intention of observance. That inattention to Him led to their downfall.
Making It Personal: I view the Sabbath as every day. Yes, I work, and partake in activities, every day of the week - but I carry the code of the Sabbath into every breath of the week, as an inward path of glory to my LORD.
So, what’s the answer … is the Sabbath intended for Saturday or Sunday? Does it really matter, as long as you obey our Lord every day. The Jewish people observe the Old Covenant of sunset Friday, through sunset Saturday. Christians observe the Sabbath on Sunday, the day of the Glorious Resurrection. No matter what day of the week you have off from work, are you having a day to reflect and focus on God? Are you gathering with His people? Are you deliberately entering into His rest and peace?
Pray: Almighty and everlasting Father, during our Sabbath, and at all times of worship, please help us be at a quiet peace to reflect on Your gifts of freedom and rest from our own distractions. May we keep holy all the days You have given us, looking to Your seven days of heavenly creation and rest. They have given us a glorious perspective of this Blessed life we have been given. Please guide our tendencies and help us keep Your covenant. Amen
Read: Genesis 2:1-3; Matthew 12:1-8; Mark 2:28; Exodus 20
Weekly Memory Verse: “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:11, ESV