Why Sabbath Is Important

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“REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY BY KEEPING IT HOLY.” – EXODUS 20:8

The idea of a Sabbath is probably not new to you. You’ve likely heard about it in church, read about it in your Bible, and seen it outlined on countless 10 Commandment posters, but what does it really mean to “remember the Sabbath day”?  AND How do we “keep it holy”?

A Little Sabbath History

We read about it from the beginning of the Bible, how God finished the work of creation and rested on the seventh day. “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (Genesis 2:3)

In Exodus 16, we read about how God declared to the Israelites that the next day would be a Sabbath day and they were to gather manna and bake and boil what they needed to eat in advance, to prepare for a day of rest. Fun fact: The word sabbath comes from the Hebrew word šāḇaṯ meaning “to rest.”

A few chapters later, in Exodus 20, we read in the middle of the 10 Commandments:

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

Again, in Exodus 34:21, we read, “Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.” In modern terms, that means even in the midst of your crazy seasons (*cough* Christmas *cough*) and when things are extra busy (in a good way). It’s still important to take a day of rest in the midst of it all.

The Sabbath is described throughout the Old Testament as a “lasting covenant” – a promise – between God and His people. Ezekiel 20:12 reads, “I gave them my Sabbaths as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy.”

In the New Testament, Jesus did some non-traditional things on the Sabbath, like picking heads of grain for his disciples and healing people, which was against Old Testament law. When criticized, Jesus responded that is lawful to do good on the Sabbath and explained, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27).

What Does This Mean In Today’s World

So what does observing the Sabbath mean for God’s people today? Are Christians supposed to observe the Sabbath? And if so, how? Why would we keep the commandment to “remember the Sabbath” if we don’t have to live by some of the other laws in the Bible, like the ones about mixing fabrics and eating unclean animals?

So what does this practice look like for modern Jesus followers? Does it mean attending a weekly church service, turning off work emails, or volunteering in your community? Does it matter what day you observe the Sabbath? Sabbath could certainly include those activities, but the whole of the biblical story seems to emphasize the purpose of the Sabbath rather than specific rules for observing it.

As followers of Jesus, God does not expect us to live by Israel’s laws. However, the wisdom of these laws remains, and the law of the Sabbath is rich with significance for us today. Sabbath is not a commandment we are bound to; it’s a promise we’re invited to enjoy.

Sabbath rest is an invitation to practice for eternity in God’s presence. It is an act of regular and intentional trust of God’s rule on Earth. We shabbat in order to nuakh—when we stop working, we can truly rest in God’s presence. When we practice this purposeful pause, we make room for God to take up residence in our individual lives and communities. And when we do this, we take part in the new creation story, setting the stage for God to make his dwelling place once again on Earth.

There is definably science to back up the practice of Sabbath

A 2014 study coauthored by Professor Jerry Lee of the School of Public Health at Loma Linda University, an Adventist school in Southern California, looked at the correlation between Sabbath-keeping and mental health and well-being. According to their research, Lee said, “refraining from secular activities on Sabbath was associated with better mental health and better physical health.” Read more about the science of Sabbath

The Sabbath is:

A TIME TO REST FROM OUR LABORS.

  • God set the example for us, to work for six days and rest on the seventh.
  • This time away from work often gives us a mental, physical, emotional break and a fresh, new perspective when we return to work again.

A TIME TO BE FILLED.

  • This is an important part of taking care of ourselves
  • Taking time to do things that feed our souls

HONORING TO GOD.

  • we honor God by keeping the seventh day holy
  • and living by the 10 commandments

A TIME TO REMEMBER THAT GOD IS OUR PROVIDER.

  • a reminder that we are dependent on God and that He makes us holy
  • time to rest in God’s promise to care and provide for us

How Can We Practice Sabbath In Our Lives

Here are a few practical suggestions for creating a Sabbath day in your week:

PLAN

First, choose one day in your week to be your Sabbath. As all church pastors and musicians know, Sunday is often not much of a day of rest, so maybe Friday or Saturday could work well as your Sabbath.

Second, be flexible. Your Sabbath day might vary from week to week or season to season, depending on your schedule, your family’s schedule, and what different months of your year look like. That’s okay. The important thing is to plan it out ahead of time (at least a week in advance).

PREPARE

Luke 23 describes a Day of Preparation preceding the Sabbath. This is an important part of having a full and complete Sabbath day each week.

Make a list of things you need to take care of before your Sabbath day so you can truly step away and rest. This might include:

  • responding to all important emails
  • returning any phone calls
  • closing out of web browser tabs
  • sending any reminders
  • doing laundry
  • planning out meals for the week
  • grocery shopping
  • cooking something ahead of time
  • paying bills and scheduling bank transfers

BE PRESENT

Plan something restful for sometime during the day, whatever that might be for you: cooking, gardening, going for a hike, taking a drive, reading, journaling, going for a bike ride, visiting with a friend (Pastor Gayle takes a pottery class). Make sure not to plan out every minute of the day, though; leave some white space – time to just be.

Leave your phone out of sight for a few hours, commit to not checking your email for a day, and maybe even delete your social media apps for the day, if you need to.

Be present and be spontaneous. If you’re tired, take a nap. If it’s a nice day, take the opportunity to pack a picnic and sit outside for a while. If you’re weary, take it slow and spend time reading, watching a movie, and maybe baking from one of your favorite cookbooks.

What you choose to do on your Sabbath is ultimately up to you. Remember, it’s not about rules and mandates of what you can and can’t do; it’s about reconnecting with God and renewing that relationship. Find your rest in Him.

Pastor Gayle generally takes Friday as Sabbath, so be patient for replies or communications.

 

 

 

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