Let's Talk Sabbath... Again
Okay folks, a week ago I posted an article inviting your thoughts on the Sabbath. We had a good number of comments, and we started out pretty well concentrating on the Sabbath and what an application of 'keeping the Sabbath' might look like. From there we trailed off to needing a 'sabbatical from our children'. Not exactly what I was hoping for here.
Leanne mentioned in a comment that she needed time away from the culture in which she ministers and gathers that time once a week, and that it's a very refreshing time spiritually. Do you think this is what a Sabbath observance might include - time set apart from the ministry environment? Or, we could view her day away not as much about culture as just her regular work routine. Do you think this is what a Sabbath observance might include - a different type of day than the other six?
Do you, or do you not take such a time in your week? If not, and you'd like to, what hinders you? For instance, how would you view a situation where someone needed to work seven days a week to keep their employer from terminating them? Someone who needed to work seven days for the income? Someone who chose to work on Sunday as it is time and a half? Etc. And lastly, what do you think about Sunday? Is it to be a Sabbath for Christians?
In a comment Lisa mentioned that Sundays are not so ideal a day away for those involved in the ministry of a local church. Is serving in ministry on Sunday a Sabbath observance? An obstacle to Sabbath observance? (By the way, this preacher will give you an opinion on that later that may surprise you.)
So chime in again, let's dig deeper into this matter of the Sabbath. It would be a great time for us to dig into our bibles too. Any verses you want to share?
Leanne mentioned in a comment that she needed time away from the culture in which she ministers and gathers that time once a week, and that it's a very refreshing time spiritually. Do you think this is what a Sabbath observance might include - time set apart from the ministry environment? Or, we could view her day away not as much about culture as just her regular work routine. Do you think this is what a Sabbath observance might include - a different type of day than the other six?
Do you, or do you not take such a time in your week? If not, and you'd like to, what hinders you? For instance, how would you view a situation where someone needed to work seven days a week to keep their employer from terminating them? Someone who needed to work seven days for the income? Someone who chose to work on Sunday as it is time and a half? Etc. And lastly, what do you think about Sunday? Is it to be a Sabbath for Christians?
In a comment Lisa mentioned that Sundays are not so ideal a day away for those involved in the ministry of a local church. Is serving in ministry on Sunday a Sabbath observance? An obstacle to Sabbath observance? (By the way, this preacher will give you an opinion on that later that may surprise you.)
So chime in again, let's dig deeper into this matter of the Sabbath. It would be a great time for us to dig into our bibles too. Any verses you want to share?
7 Comments:
I was reading in Matthew 21:33-41 The parable of the tenants of the vineyard. The issue seems evident that Christ is more concerned about the actions and attitudes towards acknowledging God and His Supremacy than the legalistic way in which our attitude either gives honor or beats the stuffing out of His son, and servants. Where we give to God His portion we honor that which we have been allowed to have access to in His goodness.
So where does that put us with respect to the Sabbath. If we honor God with His portion, and we make resting a part of our service to Him, the day may be observed on a day other than the traditional sabbath and it should be perfectly acceptable. We don't follow a traditional sabbath were God preoccupied with the legality of our observance than can you imagine the crowd of whiners that would be there, singing praise and alleluia off key and thinking, 'when will this possibly end?' Some how I have to believe God is a bit more excited in having our heart into the service we give him.
By Anonymous, at 4/19/2006 8:34 PM
I do not think that serving in ministry is a hindrance to the sabbath, however we need to set aside time to refresh our spirits. It seems to me that not setting aside time apart to spend with God would be a sure way to get burned out in ministry. However, Jesus healed on the Sabbath and rebuked the Pharsees for trying to forbid it. Check out Matthew 12:9-14.
Jesse began celebrating Shabat (traditional Jewish observation of the sabath) from sundown friday to sundown saturday when he lived in Boston with his Messianic Jewish friend. HIs primary reason for observing on saturday is because that was what the Lord commanded to moses. Is there any indication that how we observe this command should have changed? Tradtion in all honesty does not matter to me as support, just b/c people have been doing it for 2000 years does not mean it's the way we should do things. I'm not tying to be legalistic, but I desire to know what pleases the LORD. In that I agree with "anonymous," our hearts are what matters, and would prefer that people come joyfully and not resentfully, but we are to give our lives as a sacrifice of praise and take joy in doing what pleases the LORD. He gave us the sabath as a blessing to us, and yet so many people see it as a burden. It should be a time to refresh and glory in our redeemer.
By Lisa Andreasen, at 4/19/2006 11:07 PM
What does it mean to "refresh and glory" in our Redeemer? I think that's a huge question - if you ask 10 people you'll get 10 different answers. I think you would also get 10 different answers if we asked the question "what pleases the Lord?" What did God do on the seventh day - honestly, we don't really know... "he rested from all work" What does that mean?? if God rested from ALL work - did creation uphold itself? If we believe the earth spins because God makes it spin, did the earth stop spinning that day?
In genesis 2:3 it goes on to say "And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it He rested from all of the work of creating that he had done." From this verse, I gather that God rested because He was finished with His work and it was good and didn't need any revision or fixing. He rested from the work "of creating." I don't think He flopped down in an easy chair and just didn't do anything that day.
Also, God didn't rest because he was tired. We get tired and need that day of rest. Rest is different for different people becuase God made us different. God speaks to me loudly on my sabbath. By being alone in my house, I rest from my "creating." I don't have a 8 hour a day job. And I get weary. And when I get weary, I don't hear the voice of God. When I don't heed God's call to rest and to leave the work that He has called me to do, then my relationship with Him suffers.
I have friends who go out and hike on their sabbaths, others travel and site see, some hang out with other Americans, there's a million things people can do to re-create. I don't know if there is a right or wrong answer.
I don't look at my job or my sabbath as a burden. Unfortunately I have to jugle them at times, but when God rested, the world wasn't yet fallen :) I think we have to remember that too... we won't have perfect rest until glory. I guess I feel kind of weird when Darin asks in context of my life if Sabbath is time set apart from the ministry environment... I don't separate my life, job, ministry... it's all one. It's also part of my responsibility as a missionary to be an example. So, even on my Sabbath, the Bosnians are watching me. if I don't take a sabbath, they surely won't. So even on my "escape from culture day" there really is no escape becuase I am always watched and questioned on what I do and don't do...
Ok, that was way too long... sorry!! :)
By LeAnne, at 4/20/2006 1:57 AM
That wasn't too long. Thanks for sharing Leanne!
By Lisa Andreasen, at 4/20/2006 8:55 AM
In one of his early books, Eugene Peterson noted that while the Sabbath was God's seventh day, it was Adam's first day. Made on the sixth day, his very first experience was to enter God's rest. Adam's experience was "rest, then work."
He reinforces the point by noting that a Jewish day begins at sundown - so that each day begins with rest, not work.
That fundamental cycle, it seems to me, defines "Sabbath": enter first into God's rest, then labor. We, of course, do it backwards - we think of rest as a reward for work; we work first to take care of our needs or of "what needs to be done", then rest when we have time left over. So taking a Sabbath day is a hard discipline - but one that reminds us of what God thinks is the appropriate rhythm for our days.
(Just an aside - it struck me Sunday that the early Christians were going to church on the first day of their work week. Jesus must have been resurrected - certainly nothing else would get ME out of bed 3 hours earlier on a Monday morning....)
By Richard Griffin, at 4/21/2006 11:16 AM
I can think of several instances where serving in a ministry might -- okay, DID -- interfere with the Sabbath. We used to teach high school Sunday School in a previous church (a lrage group of up to 30 kids on some days). We loved the kids and I think the feeling was reciprocated, but it was far from a peaceful experience. Inevitably, one of the kids would come into class in a mischevious mood and the 'fun' would begin. Again, it was an incredible experience (especially seeing the Spiritual changes in the kids when they would see a Godly couple as an example, instead of the society-based examples). It was 'rewarding', but I think it was a ministry that, for lack of a better phrase, "got in the way" of observing the Sabbath.
On the other hand, other ministries only serve to deepen the Sabbath experience. Music has an incredible power that has often left me in tears for reasons that I can't explain, other than to know that I've been in His presence, if for only that instant, and it was overwhelming. Those ministry opportunities are an incredible part of the Sabbath, in my limited understanding.
I guess, as I wrote last week, that I just try to Experience God on the Sabbath by using the gifts and talents He gives for the furthering of His earthly kingdom. Maybe that's too simplistic. I don't know.
By Jeffro, at 4/23/2006 8:18 PM
I don’t’ intend to be funny but after I reading these
comments, one of the first things that hit me was
the song (Everybody is working for the weekend),
an 80’s tune By Loverboy . Its just the way of life is ,True?
Give me the Sabbath and Friday night too.
For me to keep the Sabbath?, for who is Lord of the Sabbath?
our Lord Jesus, so what ever I do on that day let me pay
a little more attention to my actions as to observe that day.
By Dennis Swanberg, at 4/26/2006 12:35 AM
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