Jesus & the Sabbath?
by JWing
I remember hearing from many pastors that Jesus was our perfect sacrifice. That he fulfilled all the requirements of the Law of Moses, including the vaunted 10 commandments. But in the same breath they would say that Jesus broke the man made traditions of the Sabbath that the Pharisees held to. Most of you, myself included probably just swept this aside and just accepted that Jesus had the whole thing figured out being God in the flesh. However with the recent attacks of cults like the Sabbath keepers, this has come to the forefront.
They contend that Jesus kept the Sabbath throughout his life and even in death. So if it was so important to Jesus to keep it why shouldn't all true Christians. However did Jesus really keep it? First of all lets see what is required to keep the Sabbath.
They contend that Jesus kept the Sabbath throughout his life and even in death. So if it was so important to Jesus to keep it why shouldn't all true Christians. However did Jesus really keep it? First of all lets see what is required to keep the Sabbath.
Galatians 4:4 (KJV)
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, |
Jesus healed constantly whether it was Sabbath or not. So according to these rules Jesus didn't keep the Sabbath and in fact frequently broke it. Therein lies a problem. In order for Jesus to be our perfect sacrifice, He needed to be perfect, which means keeping all the 10 commandments perfectly in both thought and deed. If Jesus broke but one of the commandments he is guilty of breaking them all and would be considered flawed.
James 2:10 (KJV)
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. |
Without a perfect sacrifice, we are all lost. Only a perfect sacrifice would suffice to take away the sins of anyone. So now have quite the problem on our hands. Unless Jesus was somehow exempt from keeping the Sabbath. Let's look again the participants of the Old Testament covenant.
Exodus 31:16-17 (KJV)
16 Wherefore THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. |
We see again the covenant was between God and Israel. But notice back in verse 16 it clearly states the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath. Nowhere does it say that both parties are to be keeping the Sabbath. Israel was to keep the sabbath but God was not. It does say specifically Israel was to keep it tho. And if we think about it what would happen to the universe if God were to take a day off completely and do no work at all? Hearts would stop beating, atoms would unravel, planets would spin into the void of space, plants would stop growing, etc etc. So obviously for everyone's sake God can not rest and Jesus even says this.
Matthew 12:1 (KJV)
12 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat. John 5:16-18 (KJV) 16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. 17 But Jesus answered them, My Father WORKETH hitherto, and I WORK. 18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself EQUAL with God. John 10:30 (KJV) 30 I and my Father are one. John 8:58 (KJV) Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, BEFORE Abraham was, I AM. The God of Israel and the Bible told Moses His name. Exodus 3:14 (KJV) And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. |
So simply put, Jesus was God and God in the OT covenant with Israel was not required to rest or keep the Sabbath. That was Israel's part of the agreement. God's part was to be their God and bless them, assuming they could keep up their end of the bargain. But all throughout the OT God continued to be their God even when Israel did not hold up its part of the covenant.
Only a loving God would hold up his end of a bargain even when the other side did not. But God's love was even greater for the rest of us that when we didn't even know who God was he went thru the effort to pay our way to get to heaven. All we have to do is accept in faith that he already took care of all the details of paying for our sins. But first we need to acknowledge to him that we do have sin and need him.
There is no need to strive to keep a bargain like Israel did. No extra effort. Just simply believing and trusting. Just pray this prayer:
There is no need to strive to keep a bargain like Israel did. No extra effort. Just simply believing and trusting. Just pray this prayer:
Dear Lord God. I know I am a sinner and need your gift of salvation from my sins. I BELIEVE IN JESUS, the Son of God, as my personal Savior. I believe that His death on the cross and resurrection provides forgiveness for ALL my sins past, present, & future. Please forgive all my sins and come into my heart and life. I hereby trust in Jesus FINISHED WORK alone, and NOT upon me & my "good works", as sufficient to make me right with you and fit for Heaven. Please forgive ALL my sins and come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Seal me with your Holy Spirit until the day you come to take me home. In your Son Jesus’ name. Amen.
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