The Importance of the Sabbath

Of the Ten Commandments, the Sabbath is forgotten the most, which is ironic since it reads, “Remember the Sabbath day” (Exodus 20:8, our emphasis).

Interestingly, the Lord not only commands us to keep the Sabbath day holy, but he also commands us to work: “Six days you shall labor” (Exodus 20:9). God rested on the seventh day of creation, establishing the holy day for the rest of time (Genesis 2:1; Exodus 20:11).

Why was the Sabbath established?

For us.

Jesus answers, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). In this, he absolves us from legalistic, inhuman strictness that misses the point.

Paul reiterates this in Colossians 2:16, warning, “Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism,” which refers to inflicting unnecessary suffering on the body for spiritual growth (v. 18).

Nevertheless, Sabbath stands for all Christians to follow.

What does that look like in our weekly lives?

Well, Jesus “went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees,” the very people who hated him, in Luke 14. Then, he heals a man afflicted with dropsy, teaching that doing good is not prohibited on the Sabbath.

In this awkward setting, with crowds apparently standing outside and the wealthy inside at their esteemed places at the table, Jesus launches into two chapters’ worth of teaching on God’s kingdom.

We ought to fight to set aside a day for rest. This should include time with the Lord and often includes gathering in a local church as Jews gathered in Synagogue (historically, Saturday was the Sabbath). But, it might also include helping neighbors or reasoning with unbelievers about the gospel (Acts 16:13; Acts 18:8).

When the Israelites kept the Sabbath holy, they showed faith in God’s provision. It was to give them a chance to radically trust God for his blessing. This would separate them from the surrounding nations. This can also separate us (keep us holy) from our work-obsessed culture, and it will teach us to trust God.

Are you keeping a regular Sabbath?

If you don’t, why? Are you idolizing work?

Do you feel the exhaustion—the burnout—building?

Run to Jesus for rest.