Virtually everyone who considers himself a Christian would acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the example God’s children must follow in their spiritual walk. The apostle Paul affirmed this truth in his epistle to the church at Philippi. There, he exhorted believers to put on the very mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5). Additionally, the apostle Peter wrote that Jesus left His followers an example that should be emulated (1Pet. 2:21). It is hard to imagine anyone being a greater authority regarding the proper conduct for God’s children on the Sabbath than Jesus. After all, He is the “Lord of the Sabbath” (Mk. 2:28). He is the Master Architect of this day and its great purpose. Every step He took on the Sabbath was dedicated to fulfilling that purpose. So the logical question must be:

How did Jesus honor the Sabbath?

      The gospels speak prolifically concerning Jesus’ actions on the Sabbath. And although he was accused by the religious leaders of His time of profaning this day, the truth is that He didn’t come close to doing such a thing. Jesus’ movements, His words, and His conduct on the Sabbath created a living portrait of God’s Kingdom. His behavior spoke of hope and consolation that would be restored to this world only a short time from now. Consider some of the things that defined the Sabbath that Jesus kept:

He assembled with other Jews in the synagogue.

He read from the scriptures.

He healed the sick.

He shared meals.

He took walks with close friends.

He criticized self-righteous religious leaders.

He inspired hope in the weak.

 He stayed in constant contact with His Father.

    Noticeably absent from the scriptures is any hint that Jesus spent even one “mite” on this day. The Messiah loved the Sabbath. He knew every minute facet of the time He sanctified. If we are truly His people, then we must direct our steps as He did His. 

An Extraordinary Example?
    Although Jesus undoubtedly provided meals for His family during His lifetime on earth, there is no example of Him doing so in the New Testament. However, one example does appear in the Old Testament and it speaks volumes about how God approaches that which is holy.
    This event took place while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness. At that time, God commanded them to refrain from going outside the camp to gather manna on the Sabbath. But God did not simply let them go hungry on His day. He provided a double portion of manna on the sixth day. Additionally, this Great Provider supernaturally intervened to prevent the manna from spoiling on the Sabbath.
    What God did with respect to this act may be far more special than meets the eye. Most believe God rained a double portion of food for the Israelites on the “preparation day” (Friday), because He did not want them to work on His Sabbath. Although this is true, is it also possible that by this act, God was honoring His own law. In other words, what Israel saw was that even God will not profane His Sabbath by engaging in physical labor on that day.
    It is true that God never tires, however, that is not why He rests on the Sabbath. He ceases from His work because even He respects the Sabbath and its purpose. On the seventh day of creation, God set the Sabbath apart from all other days. He made it HOLY! Is it possible that every Sabbath since then, God sustains its purpose and keeps it HOLY? Based on all the evidence we have in the scriptures, the answer to this question is YES.

Privileges and Restrictions
    There are many things that can be enjoyed on the Sabbath, but there are some things that must be avoided. Going to a restaurant is most definitely one of them. This practice contradicts every part of God’s Kingdom. It forces labor, it involves commerce, it inspires competition, and it separates those who work on this day from the joy that keeping the Sabbath brings. It is true that you cannot prevent restaurant personnel from working. But you CAN prevent them from working for you.
    As the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus’ conduct on this day honored His Father in a way we simply cannot grasp. But we certainly can take that model and act on it instead of trying to improve on it.

A Final Thought
    When the Great Architect of Heaven and Earth created the physical universe, He was executing a critical part of a plan that would ultimately bring mankind into His Family. As a part of that physical creation, God fashioned the stars and planets as well as created the sun and the moon. His purpose for doing this was not simply to beautify the sky. When describing this work, notice what God’s word says.

And God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years...” (Gen. 1:14)

      Here God declares that the astronomical bodies are for signs and seasons. These two words have profound meaning and express the great commitment God has to His Plan of salvation. The word “sign” in this verse is owth and can be translated as a “signal,” “beacon,” or a “mark.” It is the same word used by God when describing His Sabbath (see Ex. 31:13, 17). But there is more. The Hebrew word for “seasons” in this verse is moed and can be translated “appointed times.” God’s appointed times are His holy days.
    God’s Sabbath and holy days represent the blueprint of a plan that was borne out of the infinite love of the greatest Being in existence. That Being wants His people to trust His wisdom regarding how to honor the Sabbath and holy days and He has provided the moral guidance in this area. His people should reject anything that does not reflect that guidance. When it comes to going to restaurants on the Sabbath where do you truly think He stands?
    Jesus Christ once said that His people were to be lights in a world of darkness (Mt. 5:14-16). They are to let their light shine. One way they can do this is by properly keeping the Sabbath. That Sabbath is a beacon that illuminates the identity of the true God – the Creator.
    Today, we live in a world where every single day of the week is honored by some religion. However, the Sabbath is only kept by people who profess a belief in the true God. The lost ten tribes of Israel abandoned the Sabbath – and with it their identity as God’s people. God’s Sabbath is a reminder of not only who He is, but of who His people are.

A Unique Sign

      The Sabbath is also a sign. A sign gives people important information. It directs individuals to something or some place. The Sabbath is a sign from God directing man toward Him and His Kingdom (Heb. 4:4-9).
    However, the Sabbath points both ways. While it is a sign to us identifying who the Creator is, it is also a sign to God that identifies who His people are. Through it, the Great Creator of heaven and earth not only sees WHO keeps His Sabbath, He sees the WAY in which it is kept. Our conduct on the Sabbath is a sign to Him. It reveals the degree of our love and dedication to His way. To see it as anything else is a great mistake
    The Sabbath is a sign, a test, if you will. It is God’s indicator of whether we will walk under His authority or not (Ex. 16:4). The way we honor the Sabbath is our declaration to God that we yield to that authority. The Sabbath is a GREAT TEST.

WILL YOU PASS IT?