July 23, 2022

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. John 1:1-3

Thus the heavens and the earth and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Genesis 2:1-3

By faith, we believe that the last day of the week, the seventh day, is different from the other six days. Why? Because God blessed and sanctified it. He set an example for us that we would rest with Him on the seventh day (mentioned three times in the above passage). Does God rest because He is tired? Impossible! But in setting the example for us, we enter into a special time with Him—a time set apart for much needed (by us!) rest. This day is a special gift for mankind (see Mark 2:27). The Sabbath is a sign, or mark, pointing to creation, redemption, and sanctification: things which only God can accomplish. By faith, we must rest in this knowledge and trust the Creator who also is the Redeemer and Sanctifier (Exodus 20:8-11; John 19:30; Ezekiel 20:12).

For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:10-11 (see also v.6)

According to our opening verse, it was Jesus who made everything, including the seventh day. When He lived upon the earth, He kept the Sabbath*. He even kept it as He rested in the tomb following His crucifixion. His followers honored and kept it and taught others to do the same, just as Jesus had taught them (Matthew 12:8; Luke 23:56; Acts 13:42,44; 18:4).

Most of the world will argue that it’s “just a day” like all the others. But the Lord calls it “My holy day” (Isaiah 58:13) and the apostle John called it “the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10).

God is everywhere all the time, but it is a fact that the seventh day He has set apart as different from the other six days in the same way that the ground near the burning bush was different. God’s presence in a special, supernatural way is what makes it so.

So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Exodus 3:4-5

*“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” John 15:10