On Keeping the Sabbath: The Holy Day

"Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations for a perpetual covenant..."         ~Exodus 31:16

Shabbat Shalom!  I've been thinking about the Sabbath a lot recently. I've been wondering about just what it means to keep the Sabbath out of reverence for Yahweh.

It's clear that the Sabbath was built to last.  It's referred to by Yahweh as a "perpetual covenant", a lasting ordinance, a statue meant to be kept forever (Ex. 12:14).  The Sabbath is even counted and kept in Heaven (Isaiah 66:23).  And it's meant to be kept by the Children of Israel, the children and heirs to the promise.  Guess what?  You're an heir to the promise (Gal. 3:29).  You're included in spiritual Israel!

"...It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel for ever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed."      ~Exodus 31:17

The Sabbath is a sign.  It symbolizes rest, completion, fulfillment, contentment.  It symbolizes the creation of a finished work.  It requires trust -- trust enough to deny oneself and look to Yahweh as provider (Lev. 16:31).

The law points us to Messiah (Colossians 2:17), and Messiah gives us His Spirit, allowing us to perfect holiness before God (2nd Cor. 7:1).  The flavor of the Law has more than been changed -- it has been fulfilled (Matthew 5:17).  The law of love perfects us from the inside out.  But how does that play out practically?  What does keeping the Sabbath Day look like, today?  Here's a clue:

And He [Yahshua] said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."

~Mark 2:27

The Sabbath was instated for our own good. We get the benefit of giving our time to God. We can enjoy everything, and do everything willingly.  Not under compulsion, but willingly (2nd Cor. 9:7)! That's a weighty thing to get a hold of.  Don't feel like doing something?  Then put it off.

"Love God, and do whatever"       ~ St. Augustine

I didn't do a single thing this past Sabbath day that I didn't want to do.  It was very restful; Everything was enjoyable.  Everything was intentionally done, and I thanked my Heavenly Father for it all.  God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7, again), and then He lets us love Him back. Thanks to Him, there was no "work".  I did some chores, yeah, but that didn't count.  Why? Because I gave my time to the Breath that first gave it to me.  I was able to be restfully thankful for it.  He created such bliss for me, for you.

The definition of work's been redefined (Hebrews 4:10). If you enjoy something, it's not work.  If you remain peaceful while doing random stuff, it's not work.  It's lawful to do good on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:12).  And what is good?  Hopefully everything you do! There remains a Sabbath Day;s Rest that transcends observing any particular day of the week...but more on this in the next blog post.

If for no other reason, keeping the Sabbath day to give your physical body some rest is definitely a good idea.  Lots of Christians, out of zeal for the Lord, have gotten burnt out by neglecting their bodies. They're fallen out of "ministry", or worse, even died young. The Sabbath was created for us -- for our health, relaxation, and holy enjoyment!  It's supposed to be restful and fun.

(To reiterate, if you don't feel like doing something, then don't do it!)

Communion: It's Different

Communion is awesome--yet it's also not for everyone.  We need to walk on the right path so that we can take the Elements faithfully.  We need to be woven into Jesus by the Spirit.  If we know the truth, then we'll have been set free.  If we've already been set free, then we are free to take communion!

Communion is for Believers:  It's through our belief that we are justified (Romans 10:10).  If we have the faith of God, then we will be blessed in our doing.  In other words--If you know Jesus, remember Him thru communion.  Receive what He's done with thanksgiving and reverence--Yahweh does not give as the world does (John 14:27).



Communion is a Proclamation:  When we partake of the Elements, we are proclaiming the Lord's death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).  And when we proclaim God's will in faith, it is established for us (Job 22:28).

So as we take communion, we are having Jesus' death established--fulfilled-- in our new life.  We realize that One died for all and that therefore all died (2 Cor. 5:14).  We proclaim Communion as the most sure Word of prophecy (2 Peter 1:19)--the most reliable prophetic word.  It is the most powerful positive confession.  We proclaim that God really did send His Son for us.



Communion Requires Discerning the Body:  We need to treasure what Jesus has purchased--our brothers and sisters, for whom He died (1 Cor 8:11)!  We need to be perfected in forgiveness and love (Matthew 5:48).  And because God's already done the perfecting, we just need to choose to yield to it.  This means having the faith to discern that Jesus is enough.

We need to acknowledge that Jesus came in the flesh (1 John 4:2).  With that, He destroyed the sinful nature once and for all (Romans 6:6).  Let's receive the grace of freedom from sin (Romans 6:18). We are a sacrifice of Holiness!  We have received the sinless body of the Lord.



Communion Requires Discerning Yourself:  The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and of righteousness (John 16:8).  He shows us a wonderful paradox--we were sinful in the flesh, but now we are flawless in His Spirit.

If we are convicted of our own righteousness, if we know that Christ is in us, then we can turn from sin and understand how we need to yield to God's growth.  We can discern how we've went wrong and see communion as a marking point of change.  It's so important to remain in His purifying fire.


Communion is Seperate: Do you know what the word 'Holy' means?  It's original meaning is different, set apart, other.  We are a holy priesthood, a chosen nation (1 Peter 2:9)!  We have been selected and set apart by God, and communion can activate our living like it.

The Holy Spirit is saying come away, He's saying come out of oppression.  He's saying be in the world, just not of it (John 17:16)!  Communion is a spiritual force that draws us away from the world and into the wonderful, sacrificial Love of our Saviour.  It's a blessing for those who are worthy, and a curse for those who are not.  It's a torrent of God's love for those who believe, and the cup of His wrath for those who do not (Matthew 26:42).  When we receive the needed belief, we receive the abundant blessings!