Mike's Question: Commandment "4"

Mike asks;
4. Keep the Sabbath holy. So if you do anything after you leave church, aren't you violating this one too? I don't see how watching a violent football game, going to a rodeo, seeing a car race (and waiting for the exciting crash) is keeping the intent of this one.

What does the Word say;

Exodus 20:8-11 NKJV
(8) "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
(9) Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
(10) but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.
(11) For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

I couldn't wait to get to this one!  This is so misunderstood by Christians let alone the world, and also used by "Cult" Christians (in other words they are not Christians) to justify a "work righteousness" religion.  Probably won't tackle that this time though.

What is the Sabbath day?  The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week (Saturday not Sunday), on which we are suppose to "rest", in remembrance that God created the universe (with speech) in six days and then “rested” on the seventh day.  However, the meaning of the Sabbath day rest has been confused.  Some also use the Sabbath day as a day of worship - nothing wrong with this but it is not commanded.

Looking at the above scriptures, lets work backwards; (V11)  God "rested" - was He tired?  Of course not, God created the Sabbath for man - a day of rest for man.  

Mar 2:27-28 NLT

(27) Then Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.

(28) So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!"

Many people work everyday, some to get ahead, others to make ends meet.  We all need rest and not just physical rest.  (V10) God is also telling us that our employees and working animals, even strangers also need rest.  In other words - WE ALL NEED REST!  The word "rest" not only means to desist from exertion but, to celebrate, get rid of, put away, be still and to lack nothing.  (V9) God gives us the work schedule for the week.  (V8) "Remember" and "holy"?  Remember what God has done for us and what He wants for us.  Holy means to dedicate or consecrate this day for rest.

Jesus didn't come to get rid of "The Law" (Commandments) but to fulfill The Law.

Mat 5:17 NKJV

(17) "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

Mat 11:28-30 NLT

(28) Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

(29) Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

(30) For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."

Bottom line;  Jesus is the fulfillment of "The Law", so now rest is not found in a day (Sabbath) but in a person - The Christ!  As a result we have "rest" (or should have it) every day.  God is our rest!  As far as "doing" anything after church - thats on Sunday, not the Sabbath.  Besides I would rather rest in The Lord than on a day - any day of the week - no pun intended - really, it wasn't me?

Do you need rest?

Blessings

ernie