"Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you." Deuteronomy 5:12
Oh, the sabbath.
I think that we get kind of a negative view of the sabbath from the Old Testament. Hearing about the Pharisees condemning people and such for doing the smallest "work" makes me view the sabbath as legalistic or unnecessary. I also tend to look at the sabbath as one of those Old Testament laws that is not still true today. Just as sacrifices were no longer necessary in the new covenant, the sabbath was no longer necessary. Plus, how many Christians really take the sabbath seriously anyway?
HOWEVER, I believe the Spirit has been revealing to me the importance of the sabbath. Yes, there are many unclear topics in the Bible, but I do not believe that the sabbath is one of them. First off- God rested on the seventh day after creating the world. This is a well-known fact, but it's so often dismissed. Literally God- perfect, Holy, creative, strong, mighty God- chose to rest after doing something so simple for him. Wanting to be like God and follow his example, I view this as an important thing to keep in mind!
Not only that, but keeping the sabbath is literally a commandment in the ten commandments. We don't view any of the other commandments as iffy or something that we are free to disobey. The ten commandments were important laws from God that have stood through time and culture. The sabbath is included in a list of merely ten important laws from God.
Lastly, I think about how much I want to have a day of rest during the week. What a refreshment and day to just focus on God. A Holy day to listen to God and take extra time to get in his word. I want to begin to take the sabbath seriously and pursue God even more than during the week on a day free of work. I view this day as a Holy day where I can grow in my own holiness and fully seek God in his holiness.
God, give me a longing for rest in you.
Refocus me and fill me with your Spirit.
Amen.
