How does observing the Sabbath in Luke 23:56 reflect obedience to God's law? Seeing the Moment in Luke 23:56 “Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.” Obedience on Display • The women deliberately paused all final burial preparations, though time was short • Their rest was not convenience but conviction—an intentional halt aligned with divine instruction • By resting, they publicly affirmed that God’s Word outranks every pressing human concern, even honoring the body of their beloved Lord Rooted in the Fourth Commandment • Exodus 20:8-11—“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…” • Deuteronomy 5:12-15—“Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy…” • The phrase “according to the commandment” in Luke 23:56 draws a straight line back to these foundational verses, underlining that the disciples held the Decalogue as still authoritative Echoes of Covenant Faithfulness • Isaiah 58:13-14—delighting in the Sabbath brings blessing • Ezekiel 20:12—the Sabbath given as a sign between God and His people • Observing the day in Luke 23:56 signals continuity with Israel’s covenant identity, even as the new covenant is about to be sealed through the resurrection A Contrast with Surrounding Culture • Roman society prized productivity and public spectacle, not rest • Jewish religious leaders focused on added regulations, yet these women kept the simple, scriptural core—rest in trust Foreshadowing Resurrection Rest • Genesis 2:2-3—God rested on the seventh day, establishing the pattern • Jesus’ body rested in the tomb during that same Sabbath, fulfilling the pattern of completed work preceding new creation life • Hebrews 4:9-10 speaks of a Sabbath rest that remains for God’s people, previewed by this moment of quiet obedience Practical Takeaways for Believers • Scripture’s authority governs all of life, even under pressure • True obedience often looks ordinary—resting, waiting, trusting • Honoring God on His terms prepares hearts to witness His greater works, just as Sabbath rest preceded resurrection morning |
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