The Bible speaks of the Sabbath as a divinely-mandated day of rest, which is important for both physical and spiritual health. Sabbath is a time to draw away from our usual activities and focus on God, who is the source of our strength. It is also a time to take special delight in the people and things around us. In the Bible, there are many references to the Sabbath, both as a commandment and as an opportunity for renewal and refreshment.
In the Old Testament, God commanded the people of Israel to keep the Sabbath day holy. It was to be a day of rest and worship, with no ordinary work or labor undertaken. In Exodus 20:8-11, God instructed the people to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work… For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.”
Sabbath observance was seen as a sign of loyalty and faithfulness to God. The prophets of old depicted the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant between God and His people, and a reminder of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. In Isaiah 58:13, we read, “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.”
The importance of Sabbath for a healthy spiritual life is highlighted throughout the Bible. Jesus himself kept the Sabbath, as a way to honor the Lord and reverence His day of rest. In Luke 13:17, we read that Jesus “went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and taught.” Jesus emphasized the spiritual significance of the Sabbath, instructing his followers to “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” (Matthew 26:20). It was a day on which to focus on the things of heaven and to “cease from your labor,” and acquire the “rest that God had planned for mankind” (Exodus 20:16).
In modern Christianity, the Sabbath is observed in various ways. Some churches follow the Old Testament traditions of keeping the Sabbath strict and carefully avoiding work and trading. Others allow their members to work on Sundays, as long as they set aside some part of the day for worship and contemplation. Other churches observe a modified Sabbath, with activities such as leisure and recreational activities. Whichever form of Sabbath observance is chosen, the main point is to remember that it is God’s day, and to observe it as a day of reflection, rest, and gratitude for all that He has done.
Recognizing the Holiness and Sanctity of Sabbath (Isaiah 58:13-14)
The prophet Isaiah wrote about the importance of recognizing the holiness of the Sabbath in Isaiah 58:13-14. He reminds us that true observance of the Sabbath is not just about refraining from labor and dedicating oneself to worship and religious teaching, but also about abstaining from the behavior and thoughts of our worldly activities and desires and instead living according to the Lord’s holy instructions. Righteous actions should be taken on the Sabbath, including taking care of the poor and downtrodden, helping the oppressed to go free, and honoring the Sabbath by setting aside a day every week as a special day devoted to the Lord.
To truly honor the Sabbath we must abstain from our own ways and refrain from speaking our own words. Instead we must listen for the Lord’s words and practice those things He commands. The Sabbath is not a day for the pursuit of pleasure and entertainment, but rather a holy day of rest, devoted to resting from our labors and glorifying the Lord through worship and contemplation.
The Significance of Sabbath in the New Testament (Luke 4:16)
In the New Testament, Jesus exemplified and expanded on the importance of the Sabbath. In Luke 4:16, Jesus draws attention to the spiritual significance of the Sabbath, saying, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Through these words, Jesus showed that the Sabbath is meant to be a day dedicated to freeing those in bondage and promoting justice, not just a day of rest and spiritual reflection.
By attending Synagogue on the Sabbath, Jesus demonstrated that the Sabbath should be seen as an opportunity to glorify God and to abide by His commandments and teachings. He also showed the power of joy and celebration to be found when honoring the Sabbath, something he experienced on the mountain when he was baptized and the heavens opened, signifying God’s love and blessing (Luke 3: 21-22).
The Gospel writers reported that Jesus often taught on the Sabbath, demonstrating an example of personal spiritual growth and a commitment to honoring the Sabbath as a day of rest, peace, and worship. By honoring the Sabbath, as described in the Bible, we recognize the importance of taking a break from our work and dedicating time to glorifying God and connecting with Him.
Honoring Sabbath as a Day of Freedom (Exodus 16:8-10)
Exodus 16:8-10 speaks of the liberation found in honoring the Sabbath. In the Scripture, the Israelites needed to collect food on the Sabbath but were forbidden to do so on the Lord’s day. As a result, the Lord provided them with a special gift of manna, teaching them to trust and rely on Him even when it seemed impossible to obtain the sustenance they needed.
The instructions “Gather of it every man according to his eating” (Exodus 16:16-18) remind us of the importance of living in accordance with what the Lord desires for us. By putting trust in Him and abiding by His commands, we allow for a true sense of freedom and liberation in our lives. When we recognize and serve the Lord on His day, we can enjoy the true blessing of Sabbath rest.
Exercising Faith and Trust on the Sabbath (Exodus 16: 24-26)
In Exodus 16:24-26, the Lord directs the Israelites to avoid gathering manna from Sabbath, instead relying on Him for their sustenance. By maintaining faith in God, the Israelites were able to trust in Him and His provision for them. This teaches us a valuable lesson about the importance of trusting in the Lord, no matter the circumstances. Additionally, it emphasizes the spirituality of Sabbath, as a day on which we express our faith and trust in God, and live in accordance with His holy commands.
Today, we can apply this lesson to our own lives by taking time to be still and recognize the Lord on the Sabbath. Taking the time to reflect on what God has done in our lives and offer our thanks will help us to trust in Him no matter what. We can also exercise our faith through prayer and worship, as a way to honor God and recognize our dependence on Him.
Fasting on the Sabbath Day (Leviticus 23:27-32)
Leviticus 23:27-32 speaks of fasting during the Sabbath, as an act of reverence and spiritual devotion. Fasting, or abstaining from all food on the Sabbath, was prescribed in the Old Testament as an extra sign of reverence and commitment to the Lord. Although fasting is not as widely observed today, it is still a valuable and meaningful practice for deepening a relationship with the Lord.
By taking a break from regular activities, such as eating, on the Sabbath and committing oneself to prayer and worship, we can “restore [our] soul” and draw closer to the Lord (Leviticus 26:12). Through fasting, we can recognize the Lord as the true source of our strength, and honor Him for all He has done.
Sabbath as a Time for Fellowship (Acts 20:7-11)
The Bible also emphasizes the importance of fellowship in conjunction with Sabbath observance. Acts 20:7-11 speaks of the Apostle Paul gathering with the disciples on the first day of the week, likely Sunday. During the gathering, they shared a meal, heard a Bible lesson, and shared stories and testimonies. Paul’s gathering on the first day of the week is a reminder that Sabbath is a day of fellowship and spiritual renewal.
Today, churches continue to emphasize the fellowship aspect of Sabbath. The gathering of believers to study and pray together, free from labor and activity, allows for an atmosphere of peace and communion with the Lord. Fellowship opportunities, such as potluck meals, Bible studies, and prayer meetings, all contribute to the opportunity to honor the Lord through glorifying and worshipping Him together.
Sabbath as an Act of Brave Faith (Acts 18:4-5)
Acts 18:4-5 tells the story of Aquila and Priscilla, who kept the Sabbath even when it was unpopular to do so. Because of their courageous conviction, they found favor with the Lord, who blessed them with abundant material and spiritual bounty. This passage of Scripture instructs us to respect the Lord’s authority, even when the world around us opposes it. It also teaches us to be courageous and trust in the Lord even when it is difficult to do so.
Through Aquila and Priscilla’s example of brave faith, we can learn how to stand firm in our convictions and trust in the Lord even when we feel we are standing alone. By honoring the Lord on the Sabbath and refusing to conform to the customs of the world, we take a stand for our faith. The Sabbath is a day to remember that faithfulness brings blessing, and that by trusting in the Lord, we will be rewarded.
