The Sabbath is a matter of the heart.

As I was passing through Denver on my way home last Sunday I heard a Messianic Jewish Broadcast on the local Christian radio station (670 AM, KLTT). The subject of the program was a "midrash" (an interpretation or teaching) challenging 2000 years of Christian Tradition. Of course, I had to call in. :-)

I didn't do too well, actually. They were using incorrect logic to try and prove their point that the Sabbath is Saturday (actually Friday evening through Saturday morning) only. I wanted to point out that the same logic could be applied to (for instance) the Levitical sacrificial system and circumcision. I, unfortunately, only mentioned circumsicion so the host jumped on the topic and ran with it. We brought it back to the Sabbath, but about the time I wanted to get to the real issue, we ran out of time. I really should stick to writing. :-)

All I should have done was address what Paul said in Colossians 2:16-17,

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Their argument doesn't stand in light of Scripture. But it does bring up a vitally important issue. What about all of those Laws and Commandments in the Hebrew Scriptures?

Jesus said,

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19 KJV)

How do we balance this? The key to understanding is in Christ Jesus' words; "but to fulfil". The Lord Jesus Himself was the ultimate sacrifice, therefore the Levitical sacrificial system has been fulfilled! There is no more need for man to bring an animal sacrifice to the Lord to cover his sins because the perfect Lamb was sacrificed for those who are His.

In the same way, we no longer need the outward sign of circumcision, as the Holy Spirit has circumcised the hearts of the saved (regenerate) with love. Circumcision, as a command, has not been done away with, but has been fulfilled. If you wish to have your infant circumcised for medicinal reasons, go for it. If you wish to have your infant circumcised as a sign to God, don't bother. Just like infant baptism, it doesn't do the child any good. Likewise, it doesn't do them any harm... except that they might use it as an excuse to not do right by God. The Jews of Jesus day claimed (believed) that they were right with God because they were circumcised, likewise today many claim (believe) that they are okay with God because they were baptized as a child!

Finally the Ten Commandments have not passed away, but like all the other commands we are called (and empowered!) to keep them on a higher level. Continuing with the Lord Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount;

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
(Matthew 5:20-48 KJV)

Likewise the Sabbath is a matter of the heart. It's purpose was fulfilled in the death, burial, and resurrection of Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah). He is our Sabbath rest!

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30 KJV)

For the saved, every day is the Sabbath, we choose to meet on Sunday, not in observance of the Law of the Sabbath, but because we desire to meet together on the day that our prommised Sabbath began.

I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
(Psalms 118:21-24 KJV)

Oh, the program where I did so poorly, is here. The Harvest, Kehilat T'nuvah : Torah Talk : On which days should we worship God? Part III.

They obviously disagree with me, but as Paul wrote;

Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.
(1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 ESV)

Or as Dr. Kent Hovind says, "Eat the meat and spit out the bones." :-)

Tag(s): Sabbath, Torah, Law