Topical Bible: The Sabbath: Christ was Accustomed to Observe

◄ The Sabbath: Christ was Accustomed to Observe ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, holds significant importance in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Rooted in the creation narrative, where God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3), the Sabbath was later codified in the Ten Commandments as a day to be kept holy (Exodus 20:8-11). In the New Testament, the observance of the Sabbath by Jesus Christ is a testament to its continued relevance and sanctity.

Jesus and the Sabbath

Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, consistently observed the Sabbath, aligning with Jewish customs and laws. The Gospel of Luke records, "On the Sabbath, Jesus went into the synagogue, as was His custom" (Luke 4:16). This passage highlights that attending synagogue services on the Sabbath was a regular practice for Jesus, underscoring His respect for the day.

Teaching and Healing on the Sabbath

Christ's activities on the Sabbath often included teaching and performing acts of healing, which sometimes led to confrontations with the Pharisees. In Mark 3:1-6, Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, prompting the Pharisees to question His actions. Jesus responds by emphasizing the purpose of the Sabbath: "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). This statement underscores the Sabbath's intent as a day for human benefit and restoration, rather than a burdensome legalistic requirement.

Lord of the Sabbath

In asserting His authority over the Sabbath, Jesus declares, "So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:28). This declaration affirms Christ's divine authority and His role in fulfilling the law. By healing and teaching on the Sabbath, Jesus demonstrated the day's true purpose—compassion, mercy, and the restoration of individuals.

Sabbath Controversies

The Gospels recount several instances where Jesus' Sabbath activities sparked controversy. In John 5:1-18, Jesus heals a man at the Pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath, leading to accusations of breaking the Sabbath law. Jesus defends His actions by pointing to His divine mission and the work of His Father, indicating that acts of mercy align with God's will.

The Sabbath in the Early Church

The early Christian community, composed primarily of Jewish believers, continued to observe the Sabbath. However, as the church expanded to include Gentiles, the observance of the Sabbath evolved. The Apostle Paul addresses this in his epistles, emphasizing freedom in Christ and cautioning against legalistic judgments regarding Sabbath observance (Colossians 2:16-17).

Conclusion

The Sabbath, as observed by Christ, serves as a profound example of its intended purpose—a day of rest, worship, and acts of mercy. Jesus' observance and teachings on the Sabbath reveal its enduring significance and the spirit of the law, which prioritizes human need and divine compassion.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 4:16
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Creation of the World
... On the former day we are accustomed to fast rigorously, that on ... fast, lest we should
appear to observe any Sabbath with the Jews, which Christ Himself, the ...
/.../victorinus/on the creation of the world/on the creation of the.htm

Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ...
... For we have our Sabbath in Him who said, "Come ... Gentiles were coming to the faith
of Christ, as it ... ceremonies to which they were not accustomed, especially of ...
/.../faustus is willing to admit.htm

Why Christ must Depart
... it is only because we are so accustomed to it ... We think our Sabbath services, our
prayers, our Bible reading ... Every communicant is left by Christ with a solemn ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/why christ must depart.htm

Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ...
... Indeed, you yourselves are accustomed to teach that Christian ... of our resurrection
has appeared in Christ, who rose ... on the day after the seventh, or Sabbath day ...
/.../faustus denies that the prophets.htm

The Mustard Seed: a Sermon for the Sabbath-School Teacher
... At this time of the year, Sabbath-school teachers come ... the well-worn tale of how
Jesus Christ came into ... so very, very small that the Jews were accustomed to say ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/the mustard seed a sermon.htm

The People's Christ
... Delivered on Sabbath Morning, February 25, 1855, by the. ... they shall not find any,
they are accustomed to send ... of the reasons for the election of Christ Jesus. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the peoples christ.htm

Faustus Willing to Believe not Only that the Jewish but that all ...
... inherit the kingdom of God." You are accustomed to argue ... the Lord's day, the day
after the Sabbath, was fulfilled ... Christ is said to have made a show or example ...
/.../faustus willing to believe not.htm

The Nature of Heavenly Contemplation; with the Time, Place, and ...
... I verily think this is the chief work of a Christian Sabbath, and most agreeable
to the design of its positive ... So that Christ had his accustomed place, and ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xiii the nature of.htm

Trypho Asks Whether a Man who Keeps the Law Even Now Will be Saved ...
... Then he replied, "To keep the Sabbath, to be circumcised, to ... those to whom we were
of old accustomed to sacrifice ... God will raise us up by His Christ, and will ...
/.../chapter xlvi trypho asks whether a.htm

Letter xxxvi. (AD 396. )
... be it from us to accept this as affirming that the apostles were accustomed to fast ...
The next day is the Jewish Sabbath, on which day Christ's body rested ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xxxvi a d 396.htm