How does Exodus 31:15 connect with Jesus' teachings on the Sabbath in the Gospels? Scriptural Foundation: Exodus 31:15 “For six days work may be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must surely be put to death.” What Exodus 31:15 Emphasizes • Six days of labor, one day wholly set apart • The Sabbath is “holy to the LORD”—its purpose is worshipful rest, not idleness • Breaking the command carried the most severe penalty, underscoring its holiness and God’s authority Jesus’ Key Sabbath Statements • Mark 2:27-28 — “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” • Matthew 12:6-8 — “I tell you that something greater than the temple is here… For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” • Mark 3:4 — “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” • Luke 13:15-16 — The Lord calls the synagogue ruler a hypocrite for objecting to healing on the Sabbath: “Ought not this woman… be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” • John 5:17 — “My Father is still working, and I also am working.” Threads That Tie Exodus to Jesus 1. Divine Ownership • Exodus: the Sabbath is “holy to the LORD.” • Gospels: Jesus declares Himself “Lord of the Sabbath,” revealing His divine right to define and fulfill it. 2. Purpose of Rest • Exodus establishes a rhythm of work and rest for God’s covenant people. • Jesus clarifies the rest is meant to bless humanity, not burden it; human need and mercy remain central. 3. Holiness & Mercy Together • The death penalty in Exodus highlights God’s holiness. • Jesus upholds holiness yet demonstrates that mercy (Matthew 12:7; Hosea 6:6) is integral to true Sabbath keeping. 4. Authority to Judge • The Mosaic command carried irrevocable authority. • Jesus, as the divine Lawgiver, possesses greater authority—He interprets, fulfills, and ultimately invites believers into a deeper Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:9-10). Harmony, Not Contradiction • Jesus never nullifies Exodus 31:15; He fulfills it by revealing its intent. • He models Sabbath observance that honors God and serves people—healing, feeding, rescuing. • His actions expose legalistic additions that obscure God’s original design. Practical Takeaways for Today • Honor God’s pattern of six-and-one: structure life around worshipful rest. • Use the day to celebrate God’s deliverance, foreshadowed in Exodus and realized in Christ. • Prioritize mercy and doing good; these acts align with, not violate, Sabbath holiness. • Recognize Jesus as the final authority on Sabbath practice; trust His invitation to enter His rest now and eternally (Matthew 11:28-30). |
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