Monday: Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath
Read Matthew 12:1-2. What is going on here? Why would the Pharisees consider this action as not lawful
?
Image © Steve Creitz from GoodSalt.com
Deuteronomy 23:25 states: When you come into your neighbor’s standing grain, you may pluck the heads with your hand, but you shall not use a sickle on your neighbor’s standing grain
(NKJV). The problem, therefore, was not the action itself, but the day on which it was done. Rabbinical regulations expressly prohibited many types of works on Sabbath, such as reaping, threshing, and winnowing. In the Pharisees’ opinion, by plucking the ears of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and separating the grain from the husk, the disciples were guilty of doing all of them.
What is the significance of the examples that Jesus used to answer the Pharisees? See Matt. 12:3-5.
With the first example (1 Sam. 21:1-6), Christ argued that, although in normal circumstances David and his men should not have eaten the bread meant for the priests (Lev. 24:9), yet because their lives were in danger their actions should be considered a permissible violation of a ceremonial rule. The second example Jesus mentioned (Matt. 12:5) has to do with the sacrifices and offerings ordained for the Sabbath day in the temple service, which were twice as many as those offered on any other day (Num. 28:9-10). The Jews themselves recognized that the temple service had priority over the Sabbath.
After citing these examples, Jesus made two statements that vindicate His authority to redefine the Pharisees’ burdensome observance of the Sabbath: (1) The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath
(Mark 2:27, NKJV). Here Jesus reaffirms the Edenic origin of the Sabbath, and redefines the incorrect priorities of the Pharisees regarding man and the Sabbath: the Sabbath was created to benefit human beings and continues as a God- given gift at the service of humanity, instead of humanity at the service of the Sabbath. And (2), by saying: the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath
(Mark 2:28, NKJV), Christ ratified His status as Creator and Legislator of the Sabbath. Therefore, He alone had the authority to free the Sabbath from these man-made laws.
The spiritual leaders of God’s people charged the Lord of the Sabbath with violating the day that He Himself had created and sanctified. What message should we all take from this about the dangers of spiritual blindness among those who should know better?
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In attempting to keep the Sabbath we ought to bear in mind this effort is of love, which is ‘other-centered’ (1 Corinthians 13:5) and more importantly ‘God-centered.’ God is love. Law is the foundation of His government. Therefore law is directly tied to love. Law keeping is an expression of our love (John 14:15) as grace is an expression of God’s love.
In a sinful world with awkward situations we cannot be sure and may never actually keep the Sabbath perfectly. Nevertheless our love is measured by our mindset based on our best understanding. We may get some things wrong, but God appears to consider motive and circumstances.
The intent of David’s heart and his desire to please the Lord in his situation outweighed the strict written requirement concerning the showbread (Matthew 12:3-5). In other words there was an unwritten provision of mercy, demanded by the spirit of love, which allowed David’s action in the particular circumstances. The same was the case with Christ’s disciples in the grain field (Matthew 12:1, 2).
We ought to be conscious of the mercy component of the law, especially as it concerns others. If unsure what to do after praying then lean towards mercy. If we must err it is probably better to err on the side of mercy and compassion than on the side of strictness.
It is possible to become so zealous about our own salvation, so concerned with what we think will get us into Heaven that we neglect urgent needs calling for our attention.
Christ declares that the Sabbath was made for man. Was the 10 Commandments law also made for man? Was here a sabbath before creation and therefore a sabbath law? If angels do not marry they cannot commit adultery, so do they have such a law? Do other worlds have a sabbath, in that is the sabbath universal or just local to our world?
Ray, you ask some really tough questions for which there doesn’t seem to be answers in the Bible. I am not sure but I think these stated commandments were given after sin. As I recall, Ellen White stated that the inhabitants of Heaven didn’t even know that they existed before sin entered the universe. So to me they are principles and I think to define them too finely is a mistake that many make. That is what the Pharisees did and in so doing they put a burden on man that God never intended.
What I think is really wrong is applying our own particular interpretation of a law and attempting to enforce that interpretation on everyone else. This to me is the danger that church officials and leaders can easily get into if they are not careful. But we must not make the mistake of saying that because of that the law has no meaning and therefore it doesn’t matter what we do.
The Sabbath particularly is problematic philosophically because it is based on the rotation period of the earth yet Isaiah envisioned people worshipping on the Sabbath on the new earth (Isa 66:22-23) which may have a somewhat different environment that changes some timing. What about the millennium when the saints are in Heaven which may not rotate on an axis at all and may not have a sun to count days by or what about all the other civilizations on other worlds that might very well live on planets that have slightly different rotation periods and therefore different timings for a week? Even on our own world what is the Sabbath for one part of the earth is not for the other and vice versa. So, I think if we would keep the spirit of the law and worry a little less about the fine, nitpicky little details I think we might be better off.
Tyler, if I may clarify. The day and the month are based on the rotation of the earth on its axis and on lunar cycles, respectively. The week is related to neither. The origin and significance of the week (7 days) is found in creation only.
Yes, I agree, Sieg. In fact Seventh-day Adventists use that understanding very effectively in their presentation of the Sabbath.
To me there are two things that are different. The first is that the Sabbath is grounded on a particular event unique to earth, creation week. The second is that because there is no celestial observation consistent with a seven day cycle slight variations of rotation will eventually cause other worlds to diverge from the timing on earth. Because of these things I believe that the Sabbath is more about principle than about particulars.
For me, the understanding that Christ's life is the law incarnate settles the discussion. All who live in accordance to His will obey His law, whether as LOVE or as love God, and your neighbour as yourself, or as the 10 commandments. John the revelator also saw the ark in heaven, so the law of God applies to the WHOLE universe.
As for the Sabbath observance hereafter, YES the moon and the sun shall be there to determine the seasons - every month we will be going for the fruit on the tree by the river, and its leaves for the healing of the nations, but they shall be 'ashamed' (Isa. 24:23) because their light shall be dim, as compared to the light of the Father over the city.
This is my opinion only, it is not biblically proven. I believe that the 10 Commandments are guidelines for God's people. They show us the areas that God does not want us to violate Violation of each of these commandments offend God. For this reason I believe the Decalogue is for all people, all the world God created all his creation.
Angels also are guided by the same principles on which the 10 commandments are hinged;Loving God and loving fellow neighbors {Mat 22:37). The ten commandments are based on these principles as magnified by Christ in Matthew 5 judging motive and not just actions.So you're right Angels cannot marry, but the sins of adultery theft, murder, and covetousness have one uniting factor, Love for self above all and making an idol of self.This was the commandment Satan broke. Its the same commandment Adam ad Eve broke.
Ray, I'm wondering what your answer is to your own question. 🙂 Kofi's answer is good, and we can follow that thought a bit further.
I believe the Ten Commandments, as spoken on Sinai, were "made for man" as well insofar that were an adaptation of God's eternal law of self-renouncing love spelled out in terms that sinners could understand. (For a longish explanation, see my post, "God’s Law: The One, the Two, the Ten and the Many.")
This follows naturally from the recognition that for angels a law against adultery would be absurd. And Christ's statement that the Sabbath was "made for man" makes clear that it wasn't made for the angels or inhabitants of other worlds. Among other things, it was a memorial of the creation of our world.
Thanks for reminding us that the Ten Commandments, as written, are an adaptation of God's eternal law, not the precise expression of it.
Inge, this is the quote from Patriarch and Prophets p. 364 that sparked my questions/thoughts:
"If man had kept the law of God, as given to Adam after his fall, preserved by Noah, and observed by Abraham, there would have been no necessity for the ordinance of circumcision. And if the descendants of Abraham had kept the covenant, of which circumcision was a sign, they would never have been seduced into idolatry, nor would it have been necessary for them to suffer a life of bondage in Egypt; they would have kept God's law in mind, and there would have been no necessity for it to be proclaimed from Sinai or engraved upon the tables of stone. And had the people practiced the principles of the Ten Commandments, there would have been no need of the additional directions given to Moses."
There seems to be a need for adaptation of God's laws in response to man's increasing sinfulness and forgetfulness. Note that she says that if the 10 Commandments were kept we wouldn't need the laws of Moses.
So here is an extended chain:
Law given to Adam kept==> no need for 10 Commandments
10 Commandment kept ==> no need for circumcision
Circumcision kept ==> no need for laws of Moses
Laws of Moses kept ==> No need for New Testament
New Testament "kept" ==> no need for Ellen White's writings.
Eleen White herself says that we would have no need of her writings if we read and understood the Bible as we should, but she is a "lesser light" to lead to the greater light. So God has been continually trying to get man back to the law given to Adam, written on his heart! (Reminds you of the "New" Covenant.)
As to the Sabbath, Jesus says that he is LORD of the Sabbath and that He works and His Father works also [on the Sabbath day!]. It appears that Jesus is saying that He doesn't need to keep the Sabbath because He is above the Sabbath, the same way he didn't NEED to be baptized but "suffered it to be so for now".
If Jesus says that the 10 Commandments hang on TWO principles: supreme love for God and love for man, then these principles must be above the 10 Commandments. So I think that the 10 Commandments are adaptive to humans but must read another way for other intelligent beings.
In essence all the "specifics" were necessary for a sinful mind and the more enshrouded the world became in sin the more specifics had to be given, hence Jesus "magnifying" the law.
These are just me thoughts.
Thanks for sparking this discussion, Ray. (I figured you had an answer in mind. 😉 ) Your reasoning makes sense.
The two principles of love to God and love to fellow created beings also make sense in a heavenly setting. A law that forbids adultery and coveting one's neighbor's wife makes no sense at all.
I really appreciate this statement from Desire of Ages, p. 19, which encapsulates the eternal law of God within it. It also succinctly shows us the nature of God's Law - that is is not arbitrary and not just about not displeasing God:
In the end of the story of redemption is that all is restored back to Eden or back to a harmonious Heaven before Sin . and God has decided to make the Earth his head quarters of his universe should answer some question about Angels and other worlds who did not Fall nor had the God Like abilities to be able to create life .God will also once again recreate the heavens and the Earth anew with a Sun and a Moon orbiting the earth to keep the months for the tree of life and the weeks with 7 days so as to keep the sabbath day everyone who lives with Father and Son in eternity . here is a thought maybe the angels and people on other worlds are given the ability to procreate in the future.Just Like us . Could someone list the principles of the sabbath . thanks in advance inchrist Jesus.
Ray good questions:
Christ declares that the Sabbath was made for man.:
The 4th commandment says something else was to benefit besides man. The 7th year: is identical to the 4th commandment for the weekly rest only it is for a year of rest. List the things that are benefiting from resting on the 7th year besides man. Lev. 25:1-10.
Was the 10 Commandments law also made for man?:
Is not the 4th commandment the heart of the 10 commandments? Since the Sabbath was made for man wouldn't the 10 commandments be also?
Was here a sabbath before creation and therefore a sabbath law?:
Is Jesus the Creator of the universe and Lord of the Sabbath? Would He not have it in His mind to end with the 7th day as the Sabbath on the first day of Creation?
If angels do not marry they cannot commit adultery,:
true, but they can covet and have done it. Mainly one, his desire was to be like God. “...Till iniquity was found in thee.(Eze.28:1-15); what was his iniquity? ...I will exalt my throne...I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:12-14)
so do they have such a law?
Do other worlds have a sabbath, in that is the sabbath universal or just local to our world?:
Romans 1:20 For from the creation of the world the invisible things of Him are clearly seen, being understood through the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.
Therefore we can have a idea of the unknown through which we can observe what is here on earth.
Here on earth we don't all keep Sabbath at the same time. We Keep Sabbath according to the time zone we're in. Likewise the rest of the universe will keep Sabbath when it is their time to keep it. Why? Because it is Holy, Just and Good. Keeps the universe in a state of righteous living forever and ever. And it brings great joy to the Creator.
This limited knowledge of the other worlds; starts with the words: “In the beginning...” Genesis 1:1. The first Hebrew letter in the Bible is a B (bet-house, tent, family) is like a backward C. The C has an opening and what follows that opening is for us to know here on earth. What is in the back of the C we have marginal knowledge. Basically, the creation of man, is God, adding a new house, for a new family to the universe. We may have limited knowledge of our next door neighbours but little or no knowledge of the rest of the families in the neighbourhood.
In Hebrew, to depart or to be without God, simply put; means fire. Henceforth the day Adam sinned, our house caught on fire. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son for a rescue mission; that whosoever believing in him, will not perish in this burning house of destruction, but will live in a new house forever and ever.
Here's a question. Does the other worlds in the universe have “the tree of knowledge of good and evil?” Use only the Bible .
The question as to whether or not there was a law before creation including the sabbath is legitimate. I have red the comments with all the ifs and whys. Remembering the admonition of the apostle Paul not to go beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6), I have no final answer.
However, as to the law, the harmony of heaven even before creation depends on the principal of love to God and love to each other even before sin entered into the world. This kind of law is internalized in heart and mind, so much so that it is not necessary to teach obedience on the basis of a written law code (Hebrews 8:10-11). As to adultery mentioned, scripture knows a spiritual level of adultery (Ezekiel 16:22). This kind of adultery was happening in heaven when the evil angels under the leadership of luzifer were in a state of rebellion against God (Isaiah 14:12-14; Revelaton 12:7-8). This enmity against Gods law was continued on earth after the dragon was cast out with his angels (Revelation 12:9.17; Genesis 2:16-17; 3:4).
As to the sabbath, included in Gods law: The principal of sabbath observance consists in entering into Gods rest enjoying a special communion with the creator and redeemer at he very time God has appointed. It is not up to creatures, be it angels or men, to determine that special time of appoinntment. The invitaion to enter into Gods rest is given repeatedly on the condition os obedience and faith. The sabbath of creation is seen as a symbol of that entering into Gods rest relationship (Hebrews 4:1-4), extended to the New Testament church (Hebrews 4:9-10).
All created beings, be it before or afer the fall, are in need of that special rest ralationhip as inseperably connected with the sabbath.
Whereas there will be no night in the new creation (Revelation 21:25; 22:5) and whereas the promise is given that the sabbath will be kept in all eternity (Isaiah 66:22-23), it seems that the sabbath-rest-relationship does not depent on material things,such as the rotation of planets in eternity. The apostle Paul says: For now we see trough a glaas darkly; but then face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12). For final answers we shall have to wait.
Winfried Stolpmann
and the bread is in effect common, even though it was consecrated in the vessel this day.”
6 So the priest gave him holy bread; for there was no bread there but the showbread which had been taken from before the Lord, in order to put hot bread in its place on the day when it was taken away.
The bread David ate was day old bread. Interesting!
Hugh, I'm can't agree with what you have said and so many people "liked" your statement. You stated, "In a sinful world with awkward situations we cannot be sure and may never actually keep the Sabbath perfectly. Nevertheless our love is measured by our mindset based on our best understanding. We may get some things wrong, but God appears to consider motive and circumstances."
You have heard the saying about food, "If in doubt, throw it out", we might want to be that cautious with the teachings of the Bible Sabbath. If we are doubtful if what we are doing on the Sabbath is pleasing to God, then don't do it. It is better to not do something and honor God then to do it with a chance of Dishonoring God. I don't believe its about motive and circumstances. In the end, great bible leaders and other individuals will stand before Christ and plead saying, we have healed in your name, and Jesus will look at them and say, I don't know you. Were their motives sincere?....maybe. Did circumstances ever arise to motivate their actions?.....possibly. Jesus doesn't work that way. He is a loving God but is very particular on how we should serve Him.
Then you stated, "We ought to be conscious of the mercy component of the law, especially as it concerns others. If unsure what to do after praying then lean towards mercy. If we must err it is probably better to err on the side of mercy and compassion than on the side of strictness."
Once again, if you are unsure then don't do it. "Do what is right, because it is right, and leave the consequences up to God". It is better to be strict in following the laws of God than to sway upon our own ignorance and hope that we will be covered with mercy. We all have our own thoughts and opinions, and for that, we have great discussions. The Sabbath is the last test in the end time. It's a matter of Life or Death. God is Good all the time.
Don,
Thanks for your conscientious observation.
Here is an attempt at clarification: Remember we do not have a list of rules for Sabbath keeping, but principles. The question is if you are unsure what to do, not if you have misgivings, unease or discomfort with something which does not seem right. If you are unsure whether or not to do something, by deciding to do nothing you have effectively made a choice, which may not be the right thing.
Consider an illustration which is not connected to Sabbath keeping, but useful: The Priest and Levite decided to do nothing when passing by the man who fell among thieves on the road to Jericho (Luke 10:30-32). The Levite in particular was in two minds about the situation (See RH Jan. 1, 1895). They could both reason they had God’s business to take care of.
Passing by on the other side is not the answer to every difficult Sabbath question. It is arguable that the disciples should have prepared on Friday, or could have fasted until sunset. Jesus could work a miracle to keep them full, or provide food, even without bread or fish. They could ask other believers for food; even the Pharisees might have leftovers.
Jesus was here making a potent statement in acquitting the disciples of any wrongdoing. He was highlighting the mercy component (Matthew 12:7). We are sometimes brought into difficult situations not to test our knowledge or conformance to requirements, but on what is in our heart. Praying first gives the Holy Spirit a chance to give us clear direction. If clarity is not forthcoming maybe it is a test of the compassion in our heart.
Radical it may be, but what if we could have a greater concern for others than our own salvation? What if we do not make grace our law, or law our grace, but look outside ourselves and do what we understand to please our lover, Christ; even if there is a risk we might be wrong?
Hugh, I appreciate both your comments, but this statement stands out to me:
Isn't that what characterized the life of Christ?
Isn't that what made Moses a type of Christ - that he was willing to forfeit his own life if that would save Israel?
So isn't that what God is looking for in us?
Inge, what you say here raises a big question in my mind. If what you say is true then why does the Bible constantly bring up Christ’s second coming and the issue of salvation / redemption, etc. I am having a lot of trouble picturing God dangling the proverbial carrot in front of us yet saying I don’t want you to think about it.
To me the situation is that we should love others at least as much as we love ourselves. I don’t think it is a matter of casting off faith in our salvation thinking that our salvation doesn’t matter but everyone else’s does nor do I think that we should abandon keeping law and all the other things Christians do while helping others do them. In my mind it really doesn’t help if we are lost while being an instrument in saving someone else and Ellen White does say that such things will happen. I think we should do things such that both will be saved.
I once had an evangelist who I will not name; ask me to go down to the store Friday evening after the Sabbath had begun to get him some cologne which he used as a deodorant. The reason why he asked me is because he felt if he did it then God wouldn’t bless him in his meetings because he would have broken the Sabbath. In his eyes it was ok for me to be cursed but not him. . . I refused to comply! I guess that makes me totally insensitive to another’s needs and unworthy of Heaven doesn’t it?
Tyler I think that you are mixing apples with oranges here. One of the fruit of salvation is humility to the extent that we "prefer one another." The lifeboat situation where selfless stepping back so that others may be saved illustrates the point. It is not a question of how much we value ourselves but how much we love others. Moses was willing to sacrifice the kingdom of God if it meant that the Israelites would be saved. Jesus was willing to die in order that sinners could be saved. That is the sort of sacrifice that we should be willing to make for others.
That does not mean that we do sinful things so that others don't have to do things that they perceive to be sin. That is presumption on their part, and stupidity on our part if we get conned into doing it.
Salvation is much more than the carrot on the end of the stick. It is more than just Heaven in the future. We do a disservice to think of salvation as being in a place and taking part in activities in the future,if we forget that salvation is about living a life where we can be at peace with God and ourselves now. I do not know very much about Heaven but I do know that living salvation in the present is rewarding in itself (that is a whole new topic).
Tyler, what is your take on how much Jesus loved Himself versus others?
What is your take on how much Moses loved Himself versus others? (See Deut 32:33)
What do you think Jesus meant when He said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23)?
What do you understand Rev 12:11 ESV to mean?
I thought Hugh captured the essence of these biblical examples, and that's why I high-lighted his statement. Your understanding my differ ...
I don't understand how abandoning keeping the Law fits into your understanding.
As I understand it, what Hugh suggested fulfills the essence of the Law of God - as Christ demonstrated. I see a direct contrast to your implied suggestion that to have a greater concern for others than our own salvation would mean to "abandon keeping the Law."
yes don ealy
the word of the Lord is always yes and Amen
men instinct is not good enough to act based on right and wrong
for there is a way that seemeth right unto men but the end thereof is destruction.
We worship on Saturday others on Sunday but I never worship a day . As a Christian I worship the creator of the day .we call him Christ Gods beloved Son. The word made flesh .
I became a Seventh Day Adventist about one year ago. I was raised as a Catholic, and throughout my young adult life I began attending a Christian church, non-denominational. During college, I met my husband who was raised as a Seventh Day Adventist. Up to this day I still struggle to keep the Sabbath holy... many times I don't know what is right and wrong, in terms of the Sabbath, and it doesn't help that my family doesn't understand, and at times mock me for it. Please pray for those like myself, for the courage and wisdom to lean upon God's word, in order to keep his commands in the way He has deemed them to be kept.
Camila, I'm so sorry that you are finding the Sabbath troublesome. I believe that if you will concentrate less on "what is right" and "what is wrong" and concentrate more on just thinking of Jesus and doing things that will draw you and your loved ones closer to Him, you will find yourself looking forward to the Sabbath.
Really, there is no list of things that are "right" or "wrong" for Sabbath keeping that can be applied to everyone. What is "right" in one situation, may not be "right" in another. And what is "wrong" in one situation may not be "wrong" in another. And it may be different for different people. That's because the Sabbath is all about a relationship with our Creator Lord.
Think about it: How much would a list of things to do and not to do help in nurturing your relationship with your husband? Wouldn't it just get in the way? You do things with him and for him because you love Him, not because you are following rules.
Likewise, Jesus is looking for us to do things with Him and for Him because we love Him. He loves us and our families, and that's why He is pleased when we spend family time together in the beautiful outdoors or spend time singing or doing other things that will build our relationship with each other and with Him.
I suggest, too, that you read Hugh Dalhouse's first comment and second comment and think about what he wrote. I think it may help you think differently about the Sabbath.
[Later Edit: I notice that Lisa Haub has submitted a wonderful comment in which she shared how she made the Sabbath a delight for her children. I trust that her experience will inspire you to take a similar path. ]
Inge, thank you for sharing with me your perspective on ways to approach the Sabbath versus a list of regulations, do's and don'ts. It has truly helped me by motivating me to think more on building and maintaining a relationship with God... which is something very important to me, especially because I have a 4 year old, and I would like to instill these values from an early age. Once again, thank you and God bless!
Camila, welcome to the Adventist Church. You are brand new. As a former Catholic I understand that we do bring with us our list of things we learned as Catholics. And some how learn to steer our way through this new way of thinking. For me Saturday was the day to get ready for Sunday. Sunday we went to early or late mass and we were done for the day. But to keep the whole day holy? Wow!
We do need a list in preparing to keep Sabbath Holy. Start planning your week on Sunday. On what day you'll do the washing, cleaning the house,cooking meals for Sabbath dinner and planing Sabbath activity’s for the kids etc. Plan it so that there's hardly anything to do on Friday. And you will deeply appreciate the rest on Sabbath.
Over time you will learn the deeper meaning of Sabbath Keeping.
Blessings
Jim
When I gave myself back to Jesus, after being away from the church for 12 years, and dedicated my young children ages 12, 10, and 8 to Christ and resumed Sabbath-keeping. It was a difficult transition for the children. They had not been raised to know Jesus, or to even pray. Suddenly they were no longer watching TV, playing softball, participating in marching band, or going to the pool on Saturday.
I prayed about this a lot and in the end felt God directed me to how to keep the Sabbath, with my children, in a way Sabbath would be a happy time for them. We attended Sabbath School and Church, but in the afternoon on hot summer days instead of going to the pool we would go to a local nearby river, where we would have vespers, and sing praises about Jesus, and look at God's creation, (yes I let the kids get wet!) In the spring and autumn we would go on hikes and look for flood evidence (fossils) we imagined what it must have been like during the time of the flood as we recalled the story of Noah. We would do Sabbath scavenger hunts, and sometimes we would go for a bike ride through a park.
Now all my children are adults. My two sons, and their wives are raising their families to keep the Sabbath. My daughter and son-in-law were baptized and also joined the church but have since, fallen away. We continue to pray for them as I am reminded of my rebellion with God, and how patient He was with me. My daughter still recalls the Sabbath memories we made, and told me they were some of her happiest times in her life. I keep praying she and her husband will rededicate their lives to the Lord.
God has done wonderful things for my family and after 20 years of many prayers my husband joined God's remnant church. During the course of our return to church he participated in Sabbath outings with the children, even tho' he wasn't fully Sabbath keeping, or attending church. Five years ago he was baptized, and I was re-baptized as members of God's remnant church. It was one of the happiest days of my life! Now my husband is a very active worker for the Lord, and our union is wonderful, knowing and talking about our love for the Lord together.
The Sabbath has been such a blessing and jewel for our family. Just ask the Lord for direction, and He will make it clear to you what to do. Sometimes I would wonder whether I was choosing the right activity, but God helped me, when I made a mistake. I would explain the mistake to my children, and tell them why I felt uncomfortable doing, an activity which was in a "gray area." After prayer, and discussion, the children would agree with me, and we would ask the Lord to forgive us, if we kept the Sabbath in a way that was unpleasing to Him. The Lord was faithful in helping me with ideas for my young family which made our Sabbath a delight, and a special day devoted to God. Isn't it wonderful what our God has done for us, in giving us such a beautiful day of rest with Him.
It is really great to hear the experience of those people who value the Sabbath. I have often expressed the view that we have a lot to learn about how to creatively rest on Sabbath. When I hear people sharing how much they enjoy the Sabbath it gives me hope that we are "growing up" in our understanding of what the Sabbath really means.
To many of us, the Sabbath, is an important doctrine, a great pillar of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We spend a lot of time reciting key texts that reinforce its importance. Forum discussions such as this are filled with comments about what is appropriate or inappropriate activity for Sabbath. It is not so long ago that we were talking about the appropriate dress for Sabbath. Most of us can give at least a summary of the events that led to the changing of the day of rest from the seventh day to the first day of the week. But sometimes I think that in the midst of all these mind games we forget the true value of the Sabbath day.
For much of my life I have been an academic. I have been involved in meetings and discussions, or have spent days working through arguments and conceptual designs. Some of you would describe the sort of mind activities that I have been involved during the week as heavy stuff. The Sabbath has provided me with rest - the time to come apart for a while to recharge the batteries. It is not just a couple of hours to spend time in church listening to more meetings, but 24 hours of God-given time to rest. The arguments about who changed the Sabbath, and whether dairy farmers can be good Sabbath-keepers pale into insignificance when I close the door of my study on Friday afternoon and step into the Sabbath hours.
I have told this story before, but it is worth repeating because it illustrates what I think the Sabbath is really about. I was in Europe on a tour and our group were staying in a Hotel in Italy on a Friday night. We were in the dining room for the evening meal, when we became aware that the long table next to us were Jewish folk welcoming in the Sabbath. They lit their candles and sang and told stories and showed obvious enjoyment of one another's company. Little children were encouraged to play their part, and the older folk prompted them and encouraged them. As the evening continued it was a lesson for us all to see this family sharing and enjoying the beginning of the Sabbath in such a public way.
The Sabbath was not made so that we could argue about it. It was not given so that we could poke a stick in the eyes of the Roman Catholics and Sunday-keeping Protestants; It was given as a day of rest, to recharge our batteries; so that at the end of the Sabbath day, we can say truely, Now we are ready for another week.
When we learn to rest on Sabbath as God intended, then I believe the legalistic claim will no longer be needed.