When you think of the Sabbath or the Lord’s Day, do you think of rest? Or does it suggest a day packed with church responsibilities and household chores? Some people view the Sabbath as a legalistic drudge that drains the weekend of fun, while others label it an Old Testament relic to cast aside.
Perhaps, like me, you sometimes feel guilty because your own observance of the Sabbath doesn’t “measure up.” The purpose of this article is not to promote a legalistic list of “musts and must-nots” or to provoke guilt. The purpose is to examine the Sabbath’s biblical foundation, reflect on how Jesus observed the Sabbath during His earthly ministry, and consider simple ways we can make the Sabbath what God intended it: a gift, a celebration, a feast!
Biblical Foundation
The Sabbath started at the beginning. Before Eve listened to the serpent in the garden, before the first sacrifice was offered, and before the Ten Commandments were etched on stone tablets by God Himself, the Sabbath precedent was set. “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made” (Genesis 2:2-3). God consecrated a holy day of rest — not because He was weary, but because He knew humans needed a day of restoration and rest.
Two millennia later, three months after the children of Israel were miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt, God called Moses to meet Him on Mount Sinai. There, He spoke the Ten Commandments and inscribed them onto stone tablets. It was a dramatic scene accompanied by smoke, lightning, thunder, and trumpet blasts and witnessed by the multitude below. His fourth commandment? “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). The purpose was to remind the people of God’s work at Creation followed by His rest. He gave this command to rest to a people who had been laboring seven days a week in Egypt. He recalled them to His plan for rest.
Later, after forty years of desert wandering, Moses repeated this commandment in his farewell speech before he died, commanding Israel to observe the Sabbath as a reminder of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt.
The fourth commandment received additional significance as the first of seven feasts God instructed the Israelites to observe throughout the year (Leviticus 23:1-3). God appointed the feast of the Sabbath as a “holy convocation,” or a gathering for corporate worship and fellowship.
Bible scholars tell us the English word translated sabbath is derived from the Hebrew verb sabat, which means to stop, cease, or keep. God was serious about ceasing from labor and resting in Him. Old Testament Jews viewed the Sabbath as a mitzvah, or duty, and the death penalty could result for one profaning the day (Exodus 31:14; 35:2; Numbers 15:32-36). Old Testament prophets pointed to idolatry and Sabbath-breaking as the primary reasons Israel and Judah were judged by the Lord, conquered, and forced into captivity.
The Sabbath, however, is not simply a day when labor should cease. It is also a day of joy and delight (Isaiah 58:13-14). As Charles Spurgeon once remarked, “Time is a ring, and these Sabbaths are the diamonds set in it. The Sabbaths are the beds full of rich choice flowers.” Yes, the Sabbath includes rest from labor, but it is also a day to delight in the goodness of God.
Sabbath With Jesus
Some might argue we no longer need the Sabbath, because Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament law. But His own example of keeping the Sabbath and His teachings on the topic throughout His earthly ministry make it clear all generations should participate in observing the Sabbath.
He attended the synagogue. One does not read far into the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel before encountering Jesus on the Sabbath. “And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught” (Mark 1:21). Luke 4:16 tells us it was His “custom” or habit to attend the synagogue. The Gospels record many occasions when Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath.
He read the Scripture and taught. Jesus not only attended the synagogue; He also actively participated in worship. On at least ten occasions, He read Scripture and taught. Sometimes, He read an Old Testament messianic prophecy and then proclaimed He was the fulfillment of the prophecy (Luke 4:16-21, among others).
Jesus also answered questions or responded to accusations. Once, Jesus encountered a man with a withered hand at the synagogue. The Pharisees in attendance asked Jesus whether it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. Jesus responded by asking what they would do if one of their sheep fell into a pit. He then indicated humans are of far greater worth than sheep (Matthew 12:1-12).
On another occasion, the Pharisees criticized Jesus’ disciples for picking and eating grain on the Sabbath. After recounting two Old Testament events when revered leaders “broke” the Sabbath of necessity, Jesus shared a profound truth: “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore, the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath” (Mark 2:27-28). He did not say, “The Sabbath was made for Jews.” He, the Lord of the Sabbath, made it for all people of all generations.
Jesus healed and did other good works on the Sabbath. The New Testament records seven miracles performed by Jesus on the Sabbath:
Simon Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31)
A man with a withered hand (Mark 3:1-6)
A man born blind (John 9:1-16)
A crippled woman (Luke 13:10-17)
A man with dropsy (Luke 14:1-6)
A man with an evil spirit (Mark 1:21-28)
A lame man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-18)
Baptist pastor Brandon Rhea shared the following viewpoint regarding Charles Spurgeon:
“Spurgeon did not view the Christian Sabbath as a day of inactivity. Rather, a person should rest from his normal labors to labor for the Lord….The sum of our Lord’s teaching was that works of necessity, works of mercy, and works of piety are lawful on the Sabbath” (founders.org).
When we serve others on the Sabbath, we are following the example of Jesus.
Feast of Delight
I am certain most of us truly desire to keep the Sabbath holy and to accept the Sabbath as a gift, celebrating it as a feast unto the Lord. However, if you are in a pastor’s family or a church leader in any capacity, Sunday often becomes the busiest day of the week. How can we possibly make it a day of rest and worship? Below are suggestions gleaned from various sources over the years, along with my own meditation on this question.
Prepare your heart. Appreciate Sunday as a gift from God. Determine to make it different from the other days and anticipate it like a holiday. Leave everyday tasks — cleaning, laundry, yard work — for other days. Trust God to multiply your efforts from the other six days.
Play worship music while the family is getting ready for church.
Worship or serve together in church. Even if you are not in the same room, coming together as a family to worship and serve God sets this day apart.
Abstain from social media and news but connect through calls or texts with people you care about: children, grandchildren, family members, friends, work colleagues.
Write notes of gratitude or encouragement. Maybe start with your pastor(s).
Read for your own enjoyment and edification. Also, read aloud with children, grandchildren, or with older adults.
Spend time praying or writing out prayers of thanksgiving.
Practice hospitality. Host a new family from the church or neighborhood. This does not have to be fancy or expensive, or even a meal. S’mores over a backyard firepit are a great way to connect.
Visit seniors or keep kids for a young mom who desperately needs a nap. Perhaps host a song service or worship service at a local care home.
Take a nap.
Enjoy a prayer walk and pray for your neighbors or sit on the porch and simply give thanks.
Initiate a spiritual conversation with a family member or friend. Listen more than you talk but embrace every opportunity to share the gospel.
God never intended the Sabbath to be boring or legalistic. On the contrary, the prophet Isaiah made it clear the Father desires us to celebrate the Sabbath: “Call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable…not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth” (Isaiah 58:13b-14a).
This week, let’s celebrate the incredible gift of the Sabbath!
About the Writer: Diana Postlewaite met her husband Sam at Welch College, and the couple married in 1978. They have served at Gateway Church and Christian Academy in Virginia Beach, Virginia, since 1984. After working as a classroom teacher for nearly four decades, Diana currently works in the office at the Academy and teaches a class for four and five year olds on Sundays.
