SABBATH / MATTHEW 12:1

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION

(KJV) Matthew 12:1

At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat.

The weekly Sabbath (Greek sabbaton, meaning rest, ceasing) was the seventh day of the week, set apart by the Law of Moses as a day for ceasing from normal work and for resting and worshiping the Lord (Exodus 20:8,10; Deuteronomy 5:14). There are strong reasons to believe that the Sabbath principles are still valid for Christians and that we should still set aside one day in seven as a day of rest and worship.

The concept of a God-given day of rest was established before the Jewish law: “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy” (Genesis 2:3; Exodus 20:11). This indicated that from the time of creation God set the example that one day in seven should be a source of benefit and relief for everyone, not just for the Jewish race.
Jesus never canceled or eliminated the principle of a day of rest; He only condemned the extreme misuse of the law by Jewish leaders (Matthew 12:1-8; Luke 13:10-17; 14:1-6). He said that the day of rest was given for our spiritual and physical well-being (Mark 2:27). Nowhere does the Bible teach that this principle is no longer valid.
The spiritual purpose of a day of rest still benefits Christians. In the Old Testament, it was used as a day of rest from work and to dedicate oneself to God – a special time to get to know God, to worship Him and to focus privately and publicly on God (Leviticus 24:8; Numbers 28:9). Today it provides an opportunity for us to reaffirm that our trust and delight are centered on the Lord and not on our own efforts, desires, material goods or selfish pleasures (Exodus 20:10; 34:21; Isaiah 38:13). We can use this day to refresh our commitment to Christ, to build our unity with other believers and to acknowledge that our entire lives – not just one-seventh – belong to God (Hebrews 4:9-10).
The Sabbath was a sign of the Israelites’ devotion to God’s covenant (His “life agreement” with them based on His laws and promises and on their faithfulness and obedience to Him); it was an indication that they were God’s people (Exodus 31:16-17). Even so, the Christian day of worship (usually Sunday) can be a good indication to the world that we belong to Christ and that He is our Lord. Christians in the New Testament set aside the first day of the week to worship God and to commemorate the resurrection of Christ (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2).
The Sabbath was set apart by God as a holy day – reserved for Him (Genesis 2:3; Exodus 16:23; 20:11; 31:14; Isaiah 58:13). Those who set aside one day in seven are reminded that they themselves are set apart by God as holy (morally pure, spiritually whole, separated from evil and devoted to God) even though the world around them is perverse and rebellious against God (Exodus 31:13; 1 Peter 2:9).

Finally, the Sabbath can be seen as God’s commitment to His people that He will carry out His purposes for them and that He is constantly available to meet their needs. He is always open to their prayers and devoted to their best interests (Exodus 31:13; Ezekiel 20:12).

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Thank you for taking the time to read my Daily Devotion
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace

Guided By Grace

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SABBATH / MATTHEW 12:1

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Margarita Crews

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START YOUR DAY RIGHT DAILY DEVOTION