Glen Hartline

The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27)

We first get introduced to the Sabbath in Genesis when we read how God created the earth, every living creature, and man in six days. It was actually at the end of the sixth day that man was created. It says that after that, on the seventh day, God rested. It was this time after He had created everything for man, and provided for Adam and Eve there every need, that He rested. Adam and Eve could begin their existence knowing that their Father had anticipated everything they would need and provided for them. This is the Sabbath; it is a covenant from God to man, not a day. He was saying, Adam, you will enter into this rest with me, you will have dominion over all the earth, and you will not have to toil for the benefits. This rest was lost through sin, and because of the law, religion has tried to make the Sabbath works. Religion says that unless you keep the Sabbath (a day) you will not be blessed by God. That you cannot work (defined by each religious group) and this day because it is the Lord’s day. Meanwhile ignoring the fact that every day is the Lord’s day, and we are to worship Him, honor Him, and fellowship with Him every day. He did not walk with Adam and Eve in the cool of the morning on Sundays, or Saturdays only. He walked with them in the cool of the day every day. Making the Sabbath specific day has changed a covenant of rest and provision into a religious obligation. David, because of his intimate relationship with God, knew of this covenant. He foresaw it being re-established through Jesus, and because of that dared to enter into the temple and eat the showbread. Jesus understood His father’s heart and the purpose of the Sabbath. That is why He had no problem with His disciples “working” on the Sabbath which is contrary to religious law. He understood that God had established the Sabbath as a covenant of promise that He meets all our needs. Today when we accept Jesus as savior and Lord of our lives, we too can step into this Sabbath rest. Like Adam and Eve before us, God has already provided our every need through Christ Jesus. Trust God, step into His rest.