Is the Sabbath for today?

Is the Sabbath for today?

short answer - yes and no!

Jokes:

How does a nucleus relax?

It goes fission’

I used to be able to pull all-nighters but now I can barely pull all-dayers.

There are many theories on why humans even need to sleep, but I’m pretty sure it’s to charge our phones.

Start each day with a positive thought like, “I can go back to bed in 16 or 17 short hours.”

Matthew 12:1-14 (NLT) 1 At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. 2 But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, “Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath.”

3 Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry?4 He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat.5 And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath?6 I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple!7 But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’8 For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

9 Then Jesus went over to their synagogue,10 where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.)

11 And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would.12 And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.”

13 Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one!14 Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus.

The Pharisees had made the Sabbath into legalistic laws to follow,

Here's a sample of how their legalism had effected the people:

Tailors did not carry a needle with them on the Sabbath for fear they might be tempted to mend a garment and thereby perform work. Nothing could be bought or sold, and clothing could not be dyed or washed. A letter could not be dispatched, even if by the hand of a Gentile. No fire could be lit or extinguished—including fire for a lamp—although a fire already lit could be used within certain limits. For that reason, some orthodox Jews today use automatic timers to turn on lights in their homes well before the Sabbath begins. Otherwise they might forget to turn them on in time and have to spend the night in the dark. Baths could not be taken for fear some of the water might spill onto the floor and “wash” it. Chairs could not be moved because dragging them might make a furrow in the ground, and a woman was not to look in a mirror lest she see a gray hair and be tempted to pull it out.

Jesus gives this example

David's men ate the bread

1 Sam 21:1-6

Lev 24:5-9

priests violate their interpretation of the sabbath.

Numbers 28:9-10

9 “On the Sabbath day present two unblemished year-old male lambs, four quarts of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, and its drink offering. 10 It is the burnt offering for every Sabbath, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.

Jesus Quotes Hosea 6:6

(NLT) I want you to show love,

not offer sacrifices.

I want you to know me

more than I want burnt offerings.

They are missing the point:

the Sabbath was designed for rest but for love and mercy. God's love gave us the Sabbath for us to remember that everything comes from Him.

and ministry and caring for others was more important that following traditions.

Isnt it funny that we miss the underlying point here: Jesus is making clear that as Lord of the Sabbath, He is God. He is God in the flesh, and as God, He has the authority to determine Sabbath regulations for His disciples.

Jesus was implicitly saying to these legalistic Pharisees that the way to become right before God is not through following certain rules and regulations; the way to become right before God is through faith in Him.

Mark 2:27 (CSB Strong's) 27 Then he told them, “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.

Mark 2:27 (NLT) 27 Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.

As we discovered this morning we as humans have the need for rest.

one of the answers that the Sabbath gives is a day of resting from our labors.

The other need we have is spiritual refreshment.

God has given the Sabbath for us not only to rest from our labor but to spend time in communion with Him.

Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) 6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:16-17 (NLT) 16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.

so Yes, we do need to observe the Sabbath but not in legalism.

Enjoy the Sabbath as you enjoy Christ.

Remember, Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.

He is Lord of all

Do we set aside time to Worship Him as Lord?

Remember He said come unto me and I will give you rest. it is in relationship and communion with our Lord we find rest, rest for our souls!

Take time out, an hour, a morning, a day.

spend that time in prayer and in bible reading.

Read a Psalm, be reminded of all Jesus has done, spend that time in honest communication with the Lord.

It will revive your Spirit, and renew your heart.

Once a month take a whole day,

one a year spend a week.

Allow God to refocus you on His plan, his purpose, His direction.

One of the practices that has come to light in recent days is allowing the pastoral staff of having a sabbatical. a week or more to spend quality time with God and help find direction for the year or years ahead.