Lord of the Sabbath (12:1-21)

Jesus for President (Part 34: Lord of the Sabbath)

What did the 4th Commandment Entail?

1. It was a command to keep Saturday separate
2. It was a sign of God’s covenant with Israel
3. It was a day to abstain from all work & money
4. It was a day to assemble together for worship
5. It was a day of special ritual & animal sacrifices
6. The penalty for disobedience was death
7. At times, it became an empty shell

What did Jesus Teach about the Sabbath?

1. Jesus did not give a direct affirmation regarding Sabbath observance
2. Jesus consistently brought the issue to the table
3. Jesus allowed His disciples to break the Sabbath
4. Jesus argued that it was sometimes common sense to break the Sabbath
5. Jesus implied that the Sabbath was a ceremonial law, not a moral law
6. Jesus argued that God prefers morality over ritual
7. Jesus seems to have broken the Sabbath to do good works

How did the early church interpret Jesus’ teachings?

1. They came to the conclusion that Christians were not under Old Testament Law and, especially, Gentiles should not be burdened by it
2. Paul knew that many Jewish Christians would continue to observe the Sabbath Law, but seems to imply that such is the ‘weaker’ position
3. Paul knew that many Gentile Christians would see no need for observing the Sabbath Law, and implies that such is the ‘stronger’ position
4. Paul teaches that each believer should be led by the Lord on this issue and that no Christian should judge another on this matter. Instead, we should show respect toward various practices.
5. Paul teaches that the Sabbath was merely a ceremonial shadow that was fulfilled in Jesus Christ
6. The author of Hebrews teaches that the fulfillment of the shadow is the peace we experience in Jesus Christ
7. The 1st & 2nd generation of Christians believed we now experience a perpetual Sabbath. Early Christians met daily, but met specially on Sunday’s to celebrate the day of the resurrection