If you haven't already read part one, make sure you head over to the first in our Sabbath series - Keep Calm and...Sabbath. before reading this one.
When in a relationship you come to understand the importance of setting a date, time and meeting it. Spending time with someone, is a way to show them how much you care and how much you love them.
Giving someone your undivided attention, deepens your understanding of their character and strengthens your relationship. Making the time special, going somewhere nice, making an effort and looking your best, it’s all part of the experience. This not only applies in a relationship between husband and wife, girlfriend and boyfriend, but also family and friends. These traits are all very important relationships in our lives.
The most important relationship, however, it our relationship with God. Did you know God has set a date with you each week? A day for you, to spend time with Him! How exciting!
He never misses the appointment and it's important to Him that we don’t either. So, the question is, when is it?
When is the true Sabbath?
The Bible tells us the answer in Genesis 2:1
“Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” - Genesis 2:1
Great! We have a date. It’s the Seventh day of the week. But since creation happened a while ago, how do we know what day that is today?
One way to figure this out is to look at the account of Jesus’ death. The day Jesus was crucified is called by many Christians “Good Friday” and the day He rose from the dead is labelled as “Easter Sunday”.
“Then they took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near...Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on Sabbath according to the Commandment”. - Luke 23:53-54, 56
So if we know that Preparation day (the day Jesus died and was placed in the tomb), is a Friday and the day Jesus resurrected was a Sunday, then Saturday must be the Sabbath!
Secondly, Jesus himself was a Jew and throughout His ministry Jesus continued to lead by example. Did you know He also kept the Sabbath, the right way, the way God intended.
“So 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 to read.” - Luke 4:16
Jews have always kept the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week, which is a Saturday, and still is to this day. (Also read Luke 13:10-17, Matthew 12:12, we will look at these verses more when we discover “how” to keep the Sabbath.)
God not only showed us how to keep the Sabbath at creation but also through the life of Jesus here on earth. Even at the death of Jesus we see He still kept this special day. Jesus rested in the tomb on Sabbath, He slept the sleep of death and rose again, because death had no power over Him! Can I get an Amen?!
God always leads us by example.
Does Sabbath Have a Specific Timeframe?
One more thing, the Bible not only tells us the day but also from what time specifically!
“It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest….from evening to evening you shall celebrate your Sabbath”. - Leviticus 23:32
Deuteronomy 16:6 and Mark 1:32 show us that evening is the time when sunset happens. It may be a strange concept for us to get our head around in this modern age but in biblical times the following day always began in the evening of what we would call the day before.
So now we know when our special date with God is. From Friday sunset till Saturday sunset. A full 24 hours dedicated for you each week to reset and spend time with your Creator.
So don’t be late! You have a date!
We've now looked at the 'why' of Sabbath as well as the 'what' is Sabbath. In part three of this series we will be covering 'how' we can keep it. Keep your eyes peeled for the last part in our Sabbath series.
About The Author
Hi there, I’m Nomsa. I’m 24 years old and currently living in Surrey and working in locally in the financial sector. These past few years for me have been focused on trying to figure out my life’s direction, growing spiritually and emotionally and so much more. In these crazy years I have personally experienced and valued the joy that is Sabbath.
So I was super excited when Laura asked me to write a little something for the Stay Lit Apparel blog. I hope that you will be blessed by what I have to share on the blessing of
Sabbath through the eyes of my own experiences. If you would like to reach out to me, please feel free to send me an email on nomsapraise96@gmail.com.
Stay blessed and Stay Lit!
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