July 28, 2018

Lord of the Sabbath

“Therefore the Son of Man is also the Lord of the Sabbath.”  Mk. 2:28

Jehovah Mekoddishkem  is the name of the LORD who sanctifies.  In Exodus 31:13 God speaks to Moses:  “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying ‘surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, as it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.”  As we are sanctified, we are set apart, consecrated, and prepared for service to the Lord.  The Sabbath served as an important sign according to the covenant God made with Moses.  Throughout Old Testament times, the Israelites disobeyed this fourth commandment of God.  The Sabbath, established on the seventh day of creation by God as a day of rest” was fulfilled in Christ Jesus, who is the “Lord of the Sabbath” as found in Mark 2:28.  A day of rest became a person of rest, who offered His rest to us as a permanent sign.  As we enter into His presence, we enter into His rest. God’s perfect plan of redemption included returning rest into our lives.  Part of the journey of sanctification is learning to walk in His rest.

Jesus confronts the Pharisees in Mark’s gospel to correct their misunderstanding of the Sabbath.  People were not created for an aspect of the law (in this case, the Sabbath day of rest); rather, the Sabbath was established as a benefit for people.  Even David was provided food on the Sabbath when he was hungry.  Surely God created rest for His people.