Day 275 - Understanding the Sabbath (John 5, Mark 2, Matthew 12, Luke 6, Mark 3) Year 2
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TODAY'S READING:

• John 5:1 - 47, Mark 2:23 - 28, Matthew 12:1 - 8, Luke 6:1 - 5, Mark 3:1 - 6, Matthew 12:9 - 14, Luke 6:6 - 11, Matthew 12:15 - 21

WORD OF THE DAY:

-  Sabbath

Today we delve into the deep discussions about the Sabbath. Jesus, through His words and actions, challenges the rigid interpretations of the Pharisees and points us back to the heart of what the Sabbath means. We see powerful moments of healing, declarations of His divine authority, and lessons about the true intent behind God's commands.

In Jerusalem, we meet a man who has been an invalid for 38 years, waiting by the Pool of Bethesda. Jesus sees him and asks, “Do you want to be healed?” Without needing to touch the water, the man is instantly healed by Jesus' command to pick up his mat and walk. This miracle takes place on the Sabbath, sparking the ire of the Jewish leaders who focus on the man’s act of carrying his mat rather than the healing itself.

This passage reminds us that Jesus doesn’t operate on our timelines or according to societal restrictions.

The Gospels share a moment where Jesus and His disciples walk through grain fields on the Sabbath, and His disciples begin to pick heads of grain to eat. The Pharisees, quick to point out the breaking of their Sabbath rules, confront Jesus. But Jesus points them to a deeper truth, reminding them that David himself ate the consecrated bread when he was in need.

The Sabbath, Jesus teaches, is a gift—a time of restoration, not restriction.

Jesus is in a synagogue, and a man with a deformed hand is present. The Pharisees are watching closely, hoping to catch Jesus breaking the Sabbath law. When Jesus heals the man, He asks, "Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill?" This healing once again angers the Pharisees, who immediately begin to plot how to kill Jesus.

Jesus challenges us to understand the Sabbath not as a strict rule to be followed, but as an opportunity to do good and to honor God through love, mercy, and healing.

The concept of Sabbath is still as relevant today as it was in biblical times. But how we observe it might look different for each of us. Some people refrain from working or engaging in certain activities on Sunday. Others spend the day in quiet reflection, spending time in nature or with family.

The heart of the Sabbath is not in the rules we follow but in the rest we find in God. The Sabbath reminds us that God is our rest and our restoration.

The Sabbath is a day set apart for rest, reflection, and worship. In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites to observe the Sabbath as a reminder of creation, where He worked for six days and rested on the seventh. But Jesus brings a fuller understanding—He is our rest. When we find ourselves weary from the burdens of life, Jesus invites us to come to Him and find true Sabbath rest.

How often do we get caught up in doing things the “right” way and miss the opportunity to show love and mercy? This week, let’s focus on finding ways to rest in God, trusting that He is the source of our restoration. And while we rest, let’s look for opportunities to do good, to serve, and to reflect His love in the world around us.

How do you observe the Sabbath in your life?

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