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The Jews and the Sabbath

Often Jesus came into conflict with the Jewish authorities regarding the Sabbath. The issue was not whether the Sabbath should be kept. Jesus said, “I have kept my Father’s commandments.” John 15:10. The question was over what was “lawful” (Matthew 12:12) to be done on the Sabbath. The Jewish rabbis had burdened down the Sabbath with hundreds of manmade regulations which God had never authorized. The Sabbath, which had been made to be a blessing, had become a drudgery. If Jesus had conformed to those traditions He would have been affirming that human authorities have the right to define how to obey God’s commandments.

Although Jesus’ example of proper Sabbathkeeping stirred up the wrath of the Pharisees, nowhere do we find Him breaking God’s law or instructing His followers to do so. When a person accepted Christ’s message, it could still be said of that person, as of Ananias, that he was “a devout man according to the law.” Acts 22:12. The Christian leaders reported to Paul, “Thou seest . . .how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law.” Acts 21:20.

The designation “Jewish Sabbath” cannot be found anywhere in Scripture. Nowhere is it called the “Sabbath of the Jews.” The Bible calls it “the Sabbath of the Lord.” God calls it “my holy day.” Isaiah 58:13. Notice the following:

  1. The Sabbath was instituted at Creation, 2000 years before there ever was a Jew.
  2. The Sabbath was made for “man.” Mark 2:27.
  3. Observe carefully in Isaiah 56:6,7 which Gentiles would be accepted by God in their worship: “Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar.” According to this verse, only when Gentiles keep the Sabbath and take hold of God’s covenant are they able to enjoy the fullest experience of worship.

The Sabbath does not belong to any particular race, but rather to God Himself and all who connect themselves with Him.