OBSERVE THE SABBATH AND KEEP IT HOLY
“…. the Son of Man is Lord even of the
Sabbath.” (Mark 2:28)
The Pharisees failed to understand
that Laws were meant to exercise love; and it so happens that down the lane
they are followed without proper reason but under the force of traditions. When
Almighty God created the world, He gave us His Laws to govern the world. When
Lord Jesus was walking through the cornfields on a Sabbath, His disciples who
were with Him, began to pick the ears of the corn to eat it. The Pharisees soon
raised their opinion, saying, “Look, it is against our Law to do that on the
Sabbath!” Lord Jesus answered, “Have you never read what David did the time
when he needed something to eat? He and his men were hungry, so he went into
the house of God and ate the bread offered to God….” He concluded saying, “The
Sabbath was made for the good of man! Man was not made for Sabbath. So the Son
of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:23-28)
Sabbath is a day kept aside to
recollect the goodness of God; and to celebrate with Him in praise and
thanksgiving. A day of rest from the daily routine in order to observe and
spend more time with God. However, for the Pharisees the Sabbath turned out to
be a day to strictly adhere to fulfil certain rituals and laws. When Jesus’
disciples were accused by the Pharisees for plucking some corn to eat on the
Sabbath; Lord Jesus took this opportunity to establish the important principles
that concerned human priorities over mere ritual considerations. The Holy Bible
indicates that Lord Jesus regularly attended the synagogue on the Sabbath;
which proves that He upheld the commandment of observing Sabbath.
From the time of Moses, the Sovereign
Lord had commanded the Israelites to observe Sabbath. The Holy Bible says,
“Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. You have six days in which to do your
work, but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to Me. On that day no one
is to work—neither you, your children, your slaves, your animals, nor the
foreigners who live in your country. In six days I, the LORD, made the earth,
the sky, the sea and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That
is why I, the LORD, blessed the Sabbath and made it holy.” (Exodus 20:8-11)
The Law teaches us that everybody must
be given a weekly rest and consider this day in priority for religious
nourishment, time for reconciliation, self exercise spirituality imparting it
to children and encourage them practice giving honour to God. A day dedicated in spending time with your
family; attending all their basic needs. It is His command to provide rest to
your employees to pray and relax. Imposing this practice will lift us above the
material concerns, impart sound health, bringing peace and stability to our
personal and family life. In the Old Testament, the Sovereign Lord commands us
to give rest to the animals and land too. “For six years sow your field and
gather in what it produces, but the seventh year let it rest; and do not
harvest anything that grows on it. The poor may eat what grows there; and the
wild animals can have what is left.” (Leviticus 25:2-7)
How impartial and kind is our Father
in Heaven. The love and concern about each of His Creation is marvellous. Accordingly
let us practice and allow others to have the same nature of our Heavenly
Father. You may think how can we survive if there is no crop for a year? The
Holy Bible answers, “The Lord will bless the land in the sixth year so that it
will produce enough food for two
years. When you sow your fields in the eighth year, you will still be eating
what you harvested during the sixth year, and you will have enough to eat until
the crops you plant that year are harvested.” (Leviticus
25:21-22) Obey the laws and commands loyally and faithfully; so that you may
live safely in the land. How wonderful it is if we could obey and rely on Him!
We torture ourselves, others, animals
and the land in search of prosperity; we do research to eradicate diseases,
poverty, hunger, violence, calamities, disasters etc. By examining the soil
thereafter boost it using artificial fertilizers, chemicals we try to increase
the yield of the crops. However, the Creator confidently assures that if we
allow the land to rest for a year after six years; He will bless it to produce
food abundantly. Lord Jesus said to the Pharisees that the Sabbath was made for
the welfare of man and not man for Sabbath. So, Son of Man is master of both
man and Sabbath. By saying this Lord taught them to keep God as the centre of
their worship rather than concentrate on the man-made customs of Sabbath; as it
was never created to oppress people or make their lives difficult and burdened.
The Lord says, “If you treat Sabbath as sacred and do not pursue your own
interest on that day; if you value My holy day and honour it by not travelling,
working or talk idle on that day, you will find the joy that comes from serving
Me. I will make you honoured all over the world and you will enjoy the land….”
(Isaiah 58:13-14)
May the Lord bless
you and take care of you. May He be kind and gracious to you. May the Lord look
on you with favour and give you peace.
With love filled blessings,
Your Sister in Christ