Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Definition: A day every week, which is set aside for special purposes, during which we cease ourselves from earthly work, in order to rest, and to devote ourselves to spiritual pursuits, which followers of Christ now observe on Sundays.
exodus 20:8-11, leviticus 23:3
Question for you: How are your sundays spent??
For those of you still i school, are your sundays THE day for you to complete your unfinished business and mug for tests on monday? For those already working, are sundays just a day for you to sleep and recharge after a super long week? or is it an ideal day to spend with your family?
What is Sabbath to you?
In the time of Jesus Christ, the Pharisees were very particular about people observing Sabbath. They were so meticulous that they went out of their way to define WORK. They came out with tonnes of rules such as
. you are not allowed to lift anything that weighs more than 1/2 a fig. that'll be considered WORKING
. you are however allowed to carry your child but if he/she is carrying somethings, you are considered WORKNG too
. (the most ridiculous) you are not allowed to spit in front of you because after you speed on the ground, you'll walk forward and you may step on the spit. As water touches the soil + the movement of your feet, you will seem to be like PLOUGHING the ground which = to WORK = NOT ALLOWED
In recent years, there was a minister from Scotland, a faithful believer. He goes church every single sunday. One sunday in winter, the lake outside his house was frozen. He thought, wouldn't it be faster if he just ice skate to church. Therefore, he put on his skates and left for church. However, this has caused a big hu-ha among the church community. Some viewed the doing as plainly having fun and the others as an alternative route to church. the argument flew in the air for quite some time and they have decided to ask the minister to answer this question, to judge if he is guilty or innocent of not obliging to the rules of Sabbath (rest day spent with God, not supposed to be fun)
What do you think the determining question was?
DID HE HAVE FUN OR NOT?
quoted from Pastor Brian Post
Many a times, we are caught up with the earthly concepts and understanding of the term Sabbath, that we forget about the most important - What is Sabbath in God's context?
When God created the universe, he worked for 6 days and rested on the 7th. When he made the earth, floral and fauna, the Lord remembered the importance of resting and created the four seasons. Spring and Summer are for the ploughing of soil for the farmers and the bearing of fruits for the plants. Autumn and Winter are the resting periods, when the plants just sleep through. deuteronomy 5:14
The Lord also view Sabbath as the day for all believers to be refocused on God once more. Seeking Him at his feet, instead of being caught with all the things of this World. luke 10:39-44
Ultimately, Sabbath being the Lord's holy day is a reward. This is when we will find joy as we ride on the height of the land and feast on the inheritance of our Jacob. isaiah 58:13-14
Let us then be reminded that we should recapture Sabbath in order to gain Rest, be Refocused and be Rewarded.
amen.
2:15 AM