Friday, October 14, 2022

4TH COMMANDMENT

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy

Exodus 20:8

Inspired by the sermons of an anonymous pastor who served in ministry at Windsor Forest in the 1960’s.

Most of us remember growing up and not being able to do anything on Sunday. Clothes weren’t washed on the Sabbath. Lawns weren’t mowed on the Sabbath. There was no shopping on the Sabbath. My, haven’t things changed!

The Sabbath is considered a holy day by command of God. He hallowed this day because in six days, He made all thing and rested on the seventh day. Contrary to popular opinion, Jesus upheld the Old Testament teaching on the Sabbath while sometimes going against the religious mindset of his day. He taught we must capture the spirit and purpose of his law. For instance, Jesus walked in the grainfield with his disciples, and they pulled a few heads of grain and ate them. The Pharisees stated that they were breaking the Sabbath. Jesus responded that He was Lord of the Sabbath.

Jesus healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath. He retorted that it was lawful to do good on the Sabbath. Jesus also taught that acts of mercy were allowed on the Sabbath, likening them to an ox getting in the ditch on the Sabbath.

Jesus reminds us that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Thus, we must remember that man needs rest. God established rest for man.

PRAYER: Lord, teach me the truths of the Sabbath. We have strayed so far away from it, but prick my heart on how you want me to honor you on the Sabbath. In Jesus’ name, Amen.