Day 7: The Sabbath

Bible Study: The Sabbath in Creation, Under Christ, and in the Future

Introduction This final study in our series explores the institution of the Sabbath in Genesis 2:1-3, its significance under Christ in the New Testament, and its ultimate fulfillment in the future. The Sabbath is a profound gift from God, woven into the fabric of creation, pointing to rest in Christ today and an eternal rest to come. Let’s dive into the Scriptures to understand its meaning across time.

Part 1: The Sabbath in Creation (Genesis 2:1-3)

Genesis 2:1–3 NKJV

Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

Key Points:

Completion of Creation: Genesis 2:1-3 marks the culmination of God’s creative work.

The heavens, earth, and all their host were finished, signifying perfection and completion.

Genesis 1:31 NKJV

Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

He created form, filled it, and gave it purpose.

God’s Rest:

On the seventh day, God “rested” (Hebrew: shabath, meaning to cease or rest).

This rest wasn’t due to fatigue but a deliberate pause to delight in His completed work.

Later, Jesus cites this and other things from OT as setting a pattern for us to follow.

Holiness of the Sabbath:

God blessed and sanctified the seventh day, setting it apart as holy. This act established the Sabbath as a divine pattern for humanity, rooted in creation itself.

A Gift for Mankind:

The Sabbath was not just for God but a model for humanity (Mark 2:27). It reflects God’s desire for His people to experience rest, reflection, and communion with Him.

Mark 2:27 NKJV

And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.

Discussion Questions:

Why do you think God chose to rest on the seventh day, even though He doesn’t grow weary (Isaiah 40:28)?

Isaiah 40:28 NKJV

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

How does the holiness of the Sabbath in Genesis 2 set a foundation for its ongoing significance?

Part 2: The Sabbath Under Christ

Scripture Reading: “For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:8, ESV)

Matthew 12:8 NKJV

For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” (Hebrews 4:9-10, ESV)

Hebrews 4:9–10 NKJV

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

“And he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.’” (Mark 2:27, ESV)

Mark 2:27 NKJV

And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.

Key Points:

Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath:

In the New Testament, Jesus clarifies the Sabbath’s purpose. He heals on the Sabbath (e.g., Matthew 12:9-13) and teaches that it exists for human flourishing, not legalistic burden. As Lord, He fulfills its deeper meaning.

Sabbath as a Sign of Grace:

Under Christ, the Sabbath points to spiritual rest. Through faith in Him, believers find rest from striving to earn salvation (Hebrews 4:9-10). Christ’s finished work on the cross parallels God’s finished work in creation.

Freedom and Flexibility:

While the principle of rest and worship remains, the New Testament does not mandate strict Sabbath observance (Colossians 2:16-17).

Colossians 2:16–17 NKJV

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

Believers are free to honor the Sabbath in ways that glorify God, often gathering on Sunday to celebrate Christ’s resurrection.

First day

It seems clear to me that the first Christians only changed to the first day of the week because they had received some supernatural illumination, some guidance. But, whatever the case, the change is perfectly natural. What should be more natural that that they should have decided that the great day for them to celebrate should be the first day of the week, the day when our Lord had risen from the dead? Liberty and Conscience, 84

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)

Practical Application Today:

The Sabbath invites us to pause, worship, and trust God’s provision. It’s a rhythm of rest that counters the world’s busyness, reminding us of our dependence on Christ.

Discussion Questions:

How does Jesus’ teaching in Mark 2:27 reshape your understanding of the Sabbath’s purpose?

In what ways can we practice “Sabbath rest” today, both physically and spiritually, in our busy lives?

Part 3: The Future Sabbath

Scripture Reading: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away… And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.’” (Revelation 21:1-3, ESV) “For whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” (Hebrews 4:10, ESV)

Revelation 21:1–3 NKJV

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

Key Points:

The Ultimate Rest:

The Sabbath in Genesis foreshadows an eternal rest in God’s presence. In the new creation, believers will experience perfect communion with God, free from sin, toil, and suffering (Revelation 21:4).

Revelation 21:4 NKJV

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Fulfillment of the Sabbath:

Hebrews 4 points to a future “Sabbath rest” where believers fully cease from their labors, entering God’s eternal rest. This is the ultimate fulfillment of the Sabbath instituted at creation.

A Foretaste Now:

Our current Sabbath practices—rest, worship, and trust—offer a glimpse of the eternal Sabbath. Each time we rest in Christ, we anticipate the day when we’ll dwell with God forever.

Hope and Longing: The future Sabbath motivates us to live with hope, trusting that God is preparing a place where we will rest in His glory and joy for eternity.

Discussion Questions:

How does the promise of an eternal Sabbath rest in Revelation 21 encourage you in your faith today?

How can our current Sabbath practices reflect our hope in the future rest God promises?

Application and Closing

The Sabbath, established in Genesis 2:1-3, is a divine gift that spans creation, redemption, and eternity. It reminds us of God’s completed work, invites us into Christ’s rest today, and points to the ultimate rest in the new creation. As we close this series, let’s commit to embracing the Sabbath as a rhythm of trust and worship, resting in Christ’s finished work while longing for the eternal rest to come.

Practical Steps:

Set Aside Time: Dedicate a day or time each week to rest, worship, and reflect on God’s goodness.

Trust in Christ: Let go of striving for salvation or worldly approval, resting in Jesus’ completed work on the cross.

Live with Hope: Let the promise of eternal rest shape your perspective, giving you strength to face life’s challenges.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Sabbath, established at creation and fulfilled in Christ. Help us to rest in Your provision, trust in Your grace, and live with hope for the eternal Sabbath to come. May our lives reflect Your peace and glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Final Reflection: How will you incorporate the principles of the Sabbath into your life this week, and how does the hope of eternal rest shape your daily walk with Christ? Share your thoughts with the group or journal them for personal reflection.