Hebrews 4:3-11
And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.” 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
6 Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7 God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
When we look at the Sabbath, and why the Sabbath, 6 things come to my mind. First, like collecting manna, like tithing, God is saying to believers, "Do you trust me or yourself for the provision of your needs? Do you believe that in 6 days I can give you miraculously what you think you need 7 days to attain? Do you believe I can do with your 90% what you think you need 100% to accomplish?" The Sabbath asks us are you trusting God as your Jehovah Jireh?
Secondly the Sabbath is needed, practically speaking, to recharge our batteries. We weren't built for continual work. Exodus states that slaves, animals, even the land needs a rest and so we show our faith when we say, "I trust that the One who made me, Elohim, knows my body better than me, so I will rest it a day because that's what He says to do."
Third, the Sabbath, when we observe it, is saying to the world, "There are a lot of "gods" out there, but I worship the One who created the Earth in 7 days. Since He rested on the 7th day, so do I." When people entice you to go do things on Sunday and miss church, our obedience that comes from faith should say no - we honor God by keeping His command to imitate Him on resting on the Sabbath.
At this point you might think I am a 7th day Adventist teaching the necessity for observing Saturday worship, but no, the 4th thing about the Sabbath is that Christ fulfilled it, so like the ceremonial, sacrificial, dietary, feast laws that all pointed to Christ, when Christ came He fulfilled the Sabbath. However, the above 3 points are still true so whatever day you pick, it is still necessary for a day of rest. On a side note, in America we have a 5 day work week where there is a built in rest on Saturday or Sunday. Therefore, to pick Wednesday evening, for example, or Saturday evening as your time of worship may lead you to not commemorate and set aside a full day of rest where your thoughts are focusing on God. I relate the Sabbath to Mothers Day. One day a year we set aside a day to honor Mothers and it is their day. We celebrate them. Likewise, one day a week we should honor God. Doesn't he deserve that?
Fifth, Hebrews would say, by observing the Sabbath we are saying, I follow the one true faith that says we rest from works salvation. God has done the work when He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins so rather than work to get His acceptance (which doesn't work), we rest by faith in what Christ has done for us.
Lastly, observing the Sabbath, should be a weekly remembrance that this is not our home. We are waiting for a final rest, Heaven, and should redirect our efforts, our focus, and our urgency.If we are not observing a Sabbath, chances are the reason is that we are already living for this earth rather than Heaven and this last point may speak to you more than any of the others.
Pray about this and see what changes you and your family need to make. You might say, this was for the Jews and we are free from the law so lets celebrate our freedom. Remember, God installed the Sabbath at creation, long before the law. He made it for a purpose. He made it for you. Take advantage of it!
Lastly, observing the Sabbath, should be a weekly remembrance that this is not our home. We are waiting for a final rest, Heaven, and should redirect our efforts, our focus, and our urgency.If we are not observing a Sabbath, chances are the reason is that we are already living for this earth rather than Heaven and this last point may speak to you more than any of the others.
Pray about this and see what changes you and your family need to make. You might say, this was for the Jews and we are free from the law so lets celebrate our freedom. Remember, God installed the Sabbath at creation, long before the law. He made it for a purpose. He made it for you. Take advantage of it!
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