The concept of a Sabbath—a day set apart for rest and worship—originates in creation itself. Genesis 2:2-3 tells us that God rested on the seventh day after His work of creation, blessing it and making it holy. Later, in Exodus 20:8-11, the Sabbath became part of the Ten Commandments, where God instructed Israel to rest from work, just as He did. But how does this apply to Christians today? Should we still observe a specific Sabbath day, and if so, how?
Jesus and the Sabbath: Shifting the Focus
When Jesus walked the earth, He often confronted the legalistic approach to the Sabbath taken by the Pharisees. He healed the sick on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17) and allowed His disciples to pick grain (Mark 2:23-28), demonstrating that the Sabbath was meant for humanity’s benefit, not as a rigid rule to be followed blindly.
In Mark 2:27-28, Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” This was a radical statement, showing that He had authority over the Sabbath and that its purpose was to serve people, not burden them.
The Early Church and the Lord’s Day
After Jesus’ resurrection, the early church began gathering for worship on the first day of the week (Sunday) rather than the traditional Jewish Sabbath (Saturday). This was significant because Sunday was the day Christ rose from the dead, marking the beginning of a new covenant.
- Acts 20:7 – “On the first day of the week, we came together to break bread.”
- 1 Corinthians 16:2 – Paul instructed believers to set aside offerings on the first day of the week.
- Revelation 1:10 – John referred to “the Lord’s Day,” widely understood as Sunday.
While there is no explicit command in the New Testament to move the Sabbath to Sunday, the shift in practice reflects the church’s recognition of Christ’s resurrection as the defining event of faith.
Freedom in Observing the Sabbath
Paul addressed the issue of observing special days in his letters:
- Colossians 2:16-17 – “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”
- Romans 14:5-6 – “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.”
These passages indicate that while some may still wish to observe a Sabbath, it is not a requirement for salvation or righteousness before God. Instead, believers have the freedom to set aside a day for rest and worship as they feel led.
The True Rest Found in Christ
The New Testament presents a deeper meaning of Sabbath—one that goes beyond physical rest. Hebrews 4:9-10 says, “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His.”
This points to the ultimate rest found in Christ. No longer do we strive to earn God’s favor through works of the law. Instead, we find rest in Jesus, who completed the work of salvation on our behalf (Matthew 11:28-30). This rest is not just about taking a day off but about trusting in the sufficiency of Christ every day of our lives.
Should Christians Take a Sabbath?
While the strict Old Testament Sabbath laws are no longer binding, the principle of rest remains important. Setting aside a day for worship, reflection, and renewal is beneficial for our spiritual, physical, and mental well-being. Whether that day is Sunday, Saturday, or another day of the week, the key is to prioritize time with God and rest from the busyness of life.
Final Thoughts
The Sabbath was given as a gift, not a burden. Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath’s ultimate purpose, providing us with eternal rest in Him. While Christians are not required to observe a specific Sabbath day, taking regular time to rest, worship, and refocus on God remains a vital practice. Whether on Sunday, Saturday, or another day, the most important thing is finding true rest in Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath.
