Christ’s Teaching and Example

Next Part But Only With the Living, Active One True Church

Christ made a profound statement during a confrontation with the Pharisees. It is never spoken of in countless thousands of churches and Sunday schools: “And He said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man [not “the Jews”], and not man for the Sabbath: Therefore THE SON OF MAN IS LORD ALSO OF THE SABBATH” (Mark 2:27-28).

Jesus stressed that the Sabbath was made for man and his needs—to rest, be refreshed and mainly to commune with God. Yet the Pharisees acted as if human beings were created to comply with their endless rules. They had become lost in a maze of regulations, which separated them from the Sabbath’s true meaning. Christ said that the Sabbath was made for man. Notice, He said this day of rest was made for man—all humanity—not just for the Jews. He explained that He was Lord of the Sabbath (Mk 2:28). As Maker, Sustainer and Author of the Sabbath Covenant, Christ alone deserves the title “Lord of the Sabbath.”

Jesus showed that the Pharisees’ condemnation of gathering corn to be eaten on the Sabbath was unfounded (Mk 2:23-26). His example demonstrated that it was permissible to gather food on the Sabbath to fulfil immediate hunger.

In Mark 3:1-6, the Pharisees closely watched Christ to see whether He would, on the Sabbath, heal a man who had a withered hand. When Christ perceived that they sought to accuse Him, He responded, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?” (Mk 3:4). The Pharisees would not answer Him. Christ immediately healed the man, after which the Pharisees sought to kill Him. What an indictment against self-righteous human nature!

Christ’s example reveals that it is permissible to do good on the Sabbath and to relieve suffering. This is in harmony with the spirit of the Fourth Commandment.

In the same account found in Matthew 12:11-12, Christ used the analogy of rescuing an animal in distress, with which the Pharisees agreed. Yet, they did not allow for Christ to heal a suffering human being on the Sabbath. He used a similar analogy in Luke 13:15-17, of loosing livestock from a stall to lead them away for watering on the Sabbath, with which the Pharisees also agreed. But they protested Christ’s healing of an Israelite woman bound with an affliction for 18 years. This account also confirms that Christ allowed certain necessary physical duties to be carried out on the Sabbath, such as feeding and watering livestock. However, this is not license to plan or do non-emergency work on the Sabbath!

The Sabbath is made for mankind. Instead of being a time of strict “do’s and don’ts,” it can be a time to do good and relieve suffering, as well as a time of rest and worship.

Like many of the Bible’s teachings, proper, correct Sabbath-keeping has become a controversial issue. Is the Sabbath governed by a strict list of “do’s and don’ts”? Christ said that the Sabbath was made for man. In theory, if men made the Sabbath, they would have the right to tell you how to keep it. But since it was made for man, not by man, man does not determine how it should be kept. God does! What does this mean? You can know how to properly keep and enjoy the Sabbath—as God intended!

God gave man His laws so that we can enjoy life to the fullest. Contrary to what many believe, those laws are not a burden. They were given so that we can have a proper relationship with God and our fellowman. Jesus also taught, “The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Most professing Christians “agree” with nine of the Ten Commandments. They still at least vaguely understand that it is wrong to worship other gods and practice idolatry, although they unwittingly do so. Most would say that it is wrong to take God’s name in vain. Some feel that it is at least a good idea to show some degree of respect to parents. Some are of the opinion that it is morally wrong to kill, steal, lie, commit adultery, and covet the things of others. It is entirely another matter, however, that very few people actively attempt to practice these nine commandments as a way of life. After all, they just know that the law was “done away.” Nevertheless, they still basically accept them as “nice principles.”

But when it comes to God’s command to “Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy” (Exod. 20:8; Lev. 23:3; Deut. 5:12), even those who desire to keep it simply do not know how.

Sabbath Convocation

Leviticus 23:1-44 covers the subject of the seven annual sabbaths, or Holy Days. Lev 23:1-3 explain the weekly Sabbath. Notice: “And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My feasts. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; you shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.”

The weekly Sabbath is a holy convocation—a commanded assembly, during which God’s people are given spiritual food from His servants. The Sabbath service is a delight and joy, and has always been eagerly anticipated by God’s people through the ages. Notice the admonition given in Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.” It is crucial that God’s people assemble each week to receive His spiritual food, as well as for fellowship.

The book of Isaiah contains inspiring and reassuring encouragement for those who do not pollute God’s Sabbath and diligently follow His Law:

“Neither let the son of the stranger, that has joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD has utterly separated me from His people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus says the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep My Sabbaths, and choose the things that please Me, and take hold of My covenant; even unto them will I give in Mine house and within My walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off” (Isa 56:3-5).