The Sabbath

What is sabbath? We recognize it as the 'seventh' day. The idea of the sabbatical -- the seventh year -- is derived from the sabbath. A word search shows 145 hits for 'sabbath' in scripture. Let's take a look at what the significance of the sabbath is to those of us riding the Jesus Bus. All I have time for today, is a drive by.


Quotes from Smith's Bible Dictionary "SBD".


"The name is applied to divers great festivals, but principally and usually to the seventh day of the week, the strict observance of which is enforced not merely in the general Mosaic code,but in the Decalogue itself. The consecration of the Sabbath was coeval with the creation. The first scriptural notice of it, though it is not mentioned by name, is to be found in(Genesis 2:3) at the close of the record of the six-days creation." SBD


Gen 2:3 And G-d gave his blessing to the seventh day and made it holy: because on that day he took his rest from all the work which he had made and done.
(Remember, this was before the fall of Adam.)


"And that this (All this is confirmed by the great antiquity of the division of time into weeks, and the naming the days after the sun,moon and planets.) was especially one of the institutions adopted by Moses from the ancient patriarchal usage is implied in the very words of the law "Remember the Sabbath day,to keep it holy." " SBD


Yesterday, I wrote:
"But isn't that the sort of scenario that plays out when there is a regime change? The language of scripture went from hebrew to greek. The message changed from law to grace. The priesthood went from a select family group to all believers in Christ. The end of the sacrificial system bled and died on a Roman cross at Calvary."


And in addition to that, the Christian observance of Sabbath was moved from Saturday -- the seventh day, a day of rest -- to Sunday, the day of theResurrection. The resurrection being THE literal and symbolic event of the new regime that has given 'rest' to sinners from the demands of the Law and -- here's the big deal -- from the sting of death.


1cor 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in VICTORY.


15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy VICTORY?


15:57 But thanks be to G-d, which giveth us the VICTORY through ourLord Jesus Christ.


Verse 54 is a reference to this passage from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Isa 25:8 He has put an end to death for ever; and the Lord G-d will take away all weeping; and he will put an end to the shame of his people in all the earth: for the Lord has said it.


So, the sabbath is:
(shabbath ), "a day of rest, " from shabath "to cease to do to," "to rest"). SBD


There's alot wrapped up in this notion of sabbath. By the resurrection we were GIVEN rest from the penalty of the Law, Jesus took it upon himself. He was sentenced and executed as a criminal in my place, to redeem me from the penalty of the Law which I am not only guilty of violating, but am hopelessly unable to satisfy. Realize, that the Law demands perfection, absolute perfection.


Mt 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed ADULTERY with her already in his heart.


So, in the Christian tradition, it was from this event that the Sunday sabbath began.


Mt 28:1 Now late on the Sabbath, when the dawn of the first day of the week was near, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the place where his body was.


28:2 And there was a great earth-shock; for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, rolling back the stone, took his seat on it.


28:3 His form was shining like the light, and his clothing was white as snow:


28:4 And for fear of him the watchmen were shaking, and became as dead men.


28:5 And the angel said to the women, Have no fear: for I see that you are searching for Jesus, who was put to death on the cross.


28:6 He is not here, for he has come to life again, even as he said. Come, see the Lord's resting-place.


28:7 And go quickly and give his disciples the news that he has come back from the dead, and is going before you into Galilee; there you will see him, as I have said to you.


The first day of the week rather than the last day of the week. See verse 1 above. The endpoint of an activity of redemption rather than the completion of the original physical creation. It is in the resurrection that provides access to completion for fallen man.


Jesus completed his work on the first day of the week. It looks like there is a Saturday sabbath, that represents one element of completion, and a Sunday sabbath that represents an additional element of completion. Either way, they both represent a day set aside to commemorate the completion of the Lord's work, and a day for us to rest.


Given the above, no post tomorrow. The Jesus Bus pulls into the big truck stop for a little Sunday rest. Get on the bus.