Study 4 - Sabbath: The Rest of the Story
As our previous studies
have shown, the Sabbath is tied tightly to the identity of God’s people.
In the first Creation
story, the Sabbath features as the day humanity celebrates being created in
the image of God by worshipping Him faithfully from week to week on the day he
set aside.
In the Sanctuary
system, the Sabbath played a special role – particularly on the Day of Atonement of
which God said, “It will be a Sabbath day of complete rest for you” (Leviticus
16:31). This “Sabbath” was on the 10th day of the 7th
month – the Day of Atonement. Clearly, this would not always be a Saturday but
God calls it a Sabbath nonetheless. And a very special Sabbath. If the people
of God were not fully committed to the careful observance of “denying
themselves” on this day, the High Priest would die within the walls of the Most
Holy Place as he attempted to minister on their behalf. This yearly day of
Atonement was a foreshadowing of the amazing gift of eternal atonement made by
Christ on the Cross.
It would stand to
reason that when type met reality, things would change. Rather than fading into
non-importance, as some would suggest, the Sabbath rest of the people of God
swelled in meaning and purpose with Jesus’ life and death. The perpetual Day of
Atonement in which we now live creates in us and through us a Sabbath reality that
is beyond any understanding available before the event of the Cross.
Let’s explore this Biblical and
historical background so we can launch fully in understanding and action into
the new Sabbath of the present.
Blessed Rest…. Creation/image
Read Genesis 2:1-3
How did God celebrate
the finish of His creative week?
What do you think
Adam, Eve and God did on that Sabbath?
Read Exodus 20:8-11
To whom was this
passage being presented? (Exodus 19:25)
What had they been
doing for the past 400 years?
Why do you think this
commandment starts with the word “remember”?
Rest we Forget… Freedom
After spending 40
years in the desert, Moses repeated the 10 Commandments to the Israelites as
they were about to conquer the promised land. The wording changes –
particularly in the Sabbath Commandment.
Read Deuteronomy 5:12-15
What follows the word “remember”
this time?
Why is this important?
How is the Sabbath a
day of Freedom, today?
In God We Rest… Jerusalem falls
Read Jeremiah 17:19-27
What were they doing
that God wanted them to stop? Why?
What was promised if
they honoured the Sabbath?
What was promised if
they dishonoured the Sabbath?
Read 2 Chronicles 36:11-21
How did the people’s
treatment of the Sabbath impact their lives?
How important is the
Sabbath to God?
Heart of the Sabbath… Jesus & Sabbath
Kingdom Activity
Read Matthew 12:1-8
What are some things
in this passage that are examples of missing the point of the Sabbath?
What does Jesus see as
the most important thing to do on Sabbath?
Based on this passage, what would a Sabbath ‘well-kept’ look like?
Read Luke 4:14-21
What is Jesus teaching
here?
How did Jesus bring
the things in this passage into reality?
Does this passage describe
what you think Jesus was like?
Read Isaiah 61:1-3
What would a place look
like if this prophecy was fulfilled?
How does it bring God
glory when His people are blessed?
If this passage was
your mission statement, what would you spend your time doing?
Conclusion – Sabbath Attitude
Thinking back to the beginning
of this study, the Sabbath attitude present in the hearts of those living in
the perpetual Day of Atonement begun at the cross brings about a new way of
living and loving. What does this perpetual Sabbath attitude look like when
lived out?
Read Isaiah 58:1-14
What stands out to you
in this passage?
What kind of ‘fasting’
pleases God? Fasting is ‘denying yourself’ something – usually food. What ways
of ‘denying self’ are mentioned in this passage?
What is the difference
between a self-centred Christian and a God-centred Christian?
How does the Sabbath act
as a reminder of who we are meant to be?
How is the Sabbath a
day of delight for those living this way?
Sabbath is a day to
remember.
A day to remember that
we are created in God’s image.
A day to remember that
we are free from slavery to sin.
A day to remember that
God’s Kingdom serves God, not self.
A day to remember that
Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath, came to bring mercy.
And, ultimately,
Sabbath is a day to remind us to live this way every day.
We are God’s
image-bearers selflessly showing mercy and joining Jesus in His mission to ‘so
love the world’ by being willing to give up our lives in the hope of seeing His Kingdom
Come, His will done – on Earth, as it is in Heaven.
This is what it means
to be a people of the Sabbath.
We don’t keep the Sabbath;
the Sabbath keeps us.
It keeps us living as
reflectors of the image of God.
It keeps us claiming
forgiveness rather than guilt.
It keeps us focused on
serving rather than being served.
It keeps us speaking
mercy rather than judgment.
It keeps us holy by
doing good rather than being good.
The Sabbath keeps God’s
people on task, on track and on fire.
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