In today’s study we are going to look at Sabbath. Now the Sabbath in both Greek and Hebrews has the same meaning, the last day of the week. But for some reason Jews and Christians hold different views of what day to worship God on. This is not only wrong, but is explained in scripture. To divide ourselves from one another in a world that hates us both for the same reason, is foolish. Let’s begin in the beginning. And Genesis 2 verse 1 reads.
Gen.2:1] Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
[2] And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
[3] And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
[4] These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
It is a day of rest, not a “day” to worship, but a day to worship our Father, and by that, I mean to rest in him, to rest in his word. Jesus had some interesting conversations with the Pharisees and scribes about the Sabbath. Let’s go to Matthew 12 and begin with verse 1 and it reads.
Mat.12:1] 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.
[2] But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
[3] But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
[4] How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
King David was an anointed one by Samuel to be the next king, thus making him a priest. And those that followed David were priest also.
Mat.12:5] Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
Priests were supposed to work on the sabbath, it’s their job. To be in the temple teaching Gods word to the people. That way the people may “rest in the word”.
Mat.12:6] But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
[7] But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Jesus being the guiltless, but what does he mean by mercy and not sacrifice? Back to the Old Testament and we find Hosea. And Hos.6:6 reads.
Hos.6:6] For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Written 500 years before, Gods word says he wants our love (mercy) not sacrifice, and for us to know his word more than any sacrifice (burnt offerings). Now listen to what Jesus has to say about the sabbath day. Back to Mat:12 and verse 8 reads.
Mat.12:8] For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
[9] And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
Jesus is Lord of our Rest. Then he goes straight into the temple to teach. An example for us, Christ is our example.
Mat.12:10] And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
[11] And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
You will make sure you don’t lose any money for that, right?
Mat.12:12] How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
[13] Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
I love this, Jesus didn’t even touch him, just spoke and he was healed. Jealousy of Jesus, they never healed anybody, and never could.
Mat.12:14] Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
They wanted to kill him, and made plans to do so. Some religious men here, huh. Alright we find that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath, that the sabbath is a day for rest. And that we rest in God’s word. A reminder of John 1:1 and it reads.
John 1:1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
This is very important to me, that I read or study his word every day. I hope that you will find time, even if it is for 10 min. a day, for God’s word. His word will uplift you whenever you read it. But, more importantly, God will open your eyes to his truth and no man can ever take that away from you. Now, this chapter in Hebrews is easier to understand because of what we have learned so far. So, let’s go to Heb.4:1 and it reads.
Heb.4:1] Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
[2] For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Talking about unbelievers, those without faith. Some have ears to hears, some do not.
Heb.4:3] For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
[4] For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
[5] And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
[6] Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Search his word, and pray that he opens your eyes and ears. He will do so as promised.
Heb.4:7] Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
[8] For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
[9] There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
That there are two advents. The first for Salvation, the second for wrath. When we rest in him, the wrath won’t hurt us, but only to those that don’t believe.
Heb.4:10] For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
[11] Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
[12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Quick is (made alive). It divides even to the souls, and God only knows your heart (can read your mind).
Heb.4:13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
[16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We rest in him and his mercy (his love) gives us his power in our need. This is our sabbath, when you rest in him, he will rest in you. Let’s go to John and finish this lesson with something that has been in front of our eyes all along. John 14:20-23 and it reads.
John 14:20] At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Jesus just said that He is in the Father and they are in you. Never forget this, it is the most comfort that you can give to another.
John 14:21] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Manifest is “to make known”.
John 14:22] Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
[23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
To “abode with” is the same word used for “mansion”. It means that they will dwell in us. This is our Rest, that they, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit dwell within us. This is our sabbath, this is our rest, it is not a day of the week. Everyday of the week we Rest in Him. We rest in his Word, let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and we thank you for that Rest that you have given to us so freely. We ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.