“See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.” (Matthew 12: 2).
The Sabbath is a sacred Covenant between God and His people. "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20: 8). And then the Lord blessed the Sabbath Rest.
How the Sabbath is to be observed became a sore point of controversy between Jesus and the the Jewish leaders. The Pharisees wanted a strict adherence to the Sabbath code. Jesus teaches God's intention in establishing the Sabbath. He quickly enunciated His authority:
"I say to you, something greater than the temple is here." (Matthew 8: 6).
And added in good measure:
"For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath.” (Matthew 8: 8).
No need to ask who is right in the Sabbath debate. The person who has authority on his side always wins.
A little time after the Ascension of Jesus, the Jewish leaders kicked out the Jewish Christians from the Temple. After the Resurrection, the Christians observed the Sabbath law and still met on Sunday, the first Day of the Week to celebrate the Eucharist. After they were expelled from the Temple, the Church used the authority given to the Church by Jesus to make Sunday the new Day of Rest.
Emperor Constantine made the Sunday Rest official day of Rest for the Roman Empire in 321 AD. Christians have been observing Sunday Rest before 321 AD for over 200 years. Constantine did not hallow Sunday. The Church did.
Is the Sunday Rest threatened today? The consequences will be simply catastrophic. For the Sabbath Rest is Rehearsal for Eternal Rest. If Sunday goes, so goes our faith in Heaven.
Observe Sunday. Protect Sunday.
No comments:
Post a Comment
23-Psalm1to2