The Sabbath Controversy And Jesus
7 Times Jesus did what the Jews said he could not do on the Sabbath.
Let me tell you now, what I conclude with. In the New Testament, Jesus is the answer to the requirments of the Covenant in the New Testament. His Spirit, Blood, Name and Word fulfills these things. When we walk in faith and are filled with His Spirit, we have the Spirit of Rest 7 days a week.
Keeping the Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments.
It was of such great weight and importance that if one broke the Sabbath, they were to be punished by death or expulsion from Jewish life.
Big deal.
So it is noteworthy that the most common source of contention between Jesus and the Jews was their criticism of Jesus and what he did on the Sabbath. They believed he should be killed for what he was doing.
Don’t do that! This was a common response to Jesus from the Jews of His day.
Healing a Lame Man
Jesus told a lame man to take up his bed and walk, and he was miraculously healed and did what Jesus told him to do. (John 5:1-18)
Don’t Do That! (1)
That is what the Jews said in response. When they found out Jesus was the reason the lame man was carrying his bed, they wanted to kill Jesus.
The disciples of Jesus were picking corn on the Sabbath. (Matthew 12:1-8)
Don’t Do That! (2)
Jesus gave them a lesson and declaration of himself, that he was the Lord of the Sabbath. The Jews were not pleased. (Matthew 12:9-14)
Jesus healed a man with a withered hand. Jesus told him, "Stretch forth your hand." The man miraculously experienced healing. The Jews were angry and they again said,
Don’t Do That! (3)
Woman Delivered from a Spirit of Infirmity Healed
There was a woman Jesus met who had a spirit of infirmity that bowed her down for eighteen years. Jesus declared that even animals are cared for on the Sabbath. (Luke 13:10-17)
Don’t Do That! (4)
Jesus healed a man suffering from a disease called dropsy. We know today that can have many causes. Jesus healed him on the Sabbath. On this occasion, Jesus healed him in front of them, challenging them to disagree and say it again. (Luke 14:1-6)
Don’t Do That! (5)
Healed a Blind Man
Jesus did another miracle on the Sabbath. A man born blind. Again, the Jews were angered and asked an interesting question. The disciples pointed out the man and asked a philosophical sort of question, "Who sinned, this man or his parents?" Strange question it would seem. However, we know today, most children born blind is because the mother has a venereal disease, resulting in the child being blinded at birth. So who sinned? The mother through being unfaithful, or the father?
Jesus dismissed this discussion and declared, "He is blind so that the works of God might be displayed in him." Jesus knelt down, spit in the dirt, made clay, and placed these mud cakes over his eye sockets. He told the man, "Go wash in the pool of Siloam."
He did, and a miracle happened. Again. On the Sabbath. As you would expect, the Jews were mad again. Jesus broke the Sabbath tradition because he made clay and healed the man. (John 9:1-16)
"You Can’t Do That!" (6)
They accused Jesus of acting like he is God. That is the revelation Jesus is, a living, walking manifestation of God in flesh.
You probably are detecting a pattern here.
You Can’t Keep Doing that! (7)
Jesus keeps healing people on the Sabbath.
He points out that circumcision is done on the Sabbath, breaking the tradition themselves. (John 7:21-24)
What should we conclude about the Sabbath?
I believe the practical answer is, "Jesus freed us from a legalistic observance of prohibitions from the Sabbath. If Jesus says do something, he and we are free to do what the Lord of the Sabbath says."
In the Epistles, from Romans through Revelation, the word "Sabbath" is mentioned only once. What does this mean?
As illustrated, much of the practice of Judaism was concluded and fulfilled in the coming of Jesus.
What else changed with the coming of Jesus for His believers, both Jew and Gentile?
There was no longer a need for a blood sacrifice for sins because Jesus and the blood he shed once and for all satisfied that demand.
We are no longer required to be circumcised to be in covenant with God. There is a new proof of covenant in the New Testament. Baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus is now the proof of our covenant.
The dietary laws were no longer binding as illustrated by the vision of Peter in Acts chapter ten. They discuss this at length later in the book of Acts. These things are not included in the commands they gave to Gentile believers. This was agreed upon by all of the Apostles and the church.
The festivals and feasts of the Old Testament were no longer a requirement for the New Testament Church.
The separate priestly class of the Old Testament was expanded into all believers who were given access to and privileges of the priests. Because of Jesus, there was no more need for sacrifice; there was no longer a need for the work of the Levites.
The One Verse in the New Testament Epistles specifically on how the Church should handle the Sabbath.
Let’s read the complete context of that one verse.
"14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 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: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." (Colossians 2:14-17)
In the New Testament, Jesus is the answer to the requirements of the Covenant in the New Testament. His Spirit, Blood, Name, and Word fulfill these things. When we walk in faith and are filled with His Spirit, we have the Spirit of Rest 7 days a week.
Resting Everyday in Jesus!
The Lord of the Sabbath and the other six days of the week.
In Him, By Him, Through Him,
Scott A. Phillips