At one time in our country, most people recognized Sunday as “the Christian Sabbath.” Stores were closed and chores were limited. Folks went “to church,” ate a big meal, then spent the afternoon napping and visiting with family and friends. Our culture has changed. Attendance in religious services has dropped, all the major stores stay open 7 days a week, and few “have time” for big Sunday meals and lazy afternoons.
In the latter half of the book of Hebrews, the inspired author refers to the “first covenant” and the “new covenant” (cf. Hebrews 7:12; 8:8–13, etc.). By these he means the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ. The Christian lives under God’s instruction and authority and understands Old Testament commands only in light of their New Testament interpretation and application.
Based on this understanding and the teaching of Jesus in Mark 2:23–28 (cf. parallels in Matthew 21:1–8 and Luke 6:1–5), Christians do not observe a ritual Sabbath. Instead, we set aside the first day of the week, but not as a day of rest; rather, we understand Sunday primarily as a day of communal worship and remembrance of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (cf. John 20:1; Acts 20:7).
This does not mean, however, that Christians should ignore the value of rest. In fact, both the Old and New Testaments teach its value. Genesis 2:2–3 indicate that God finished His creative work on the seventh day and then consecrated the seventh day. Jesus teaches, “The Sabbath was made for man” (Mark 2:27). Paul cites Deuteronomy 25:4 in 1 Corinthians 9:9, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Then he adds, “Is it for oxen that God is concerned?”
The Jews, in their zeal to observe God’s laws as strictly and stringently as possible, had lost the intended blessing of the Sabbath. God gave it to man so that we might benefit from a period of rest. The nature of work has changed even in America in the last half-century. A much smaller percentage of the population works outside, and even fewer work outside without the aid of machinery. The nature of rest has changed as well.
In expressing our freedom from the Sabbath law, have we ignored the blessings that come with designating a time for slowing down and resting? Christians should not seek to enforce an Old Covenant statute while living under the New Covenant. At the same time, we can recognize and take advantage of God’s wisdom in setting aside time for rest.
Clay Leonard
