Long before the Law was given, God established and modeled the 'work-rest' cycle, working six days and resting on the seventh. Built on God's model was the commands regarding keeping the Sabbath. The Sabbath was to be a day of rest, no gainful employment, a time to be renewed, refreshed, and to reflect on God, His goodness and ways. Jesus established that the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath. But the Pharisees in Jesus' day turned it around and created a slew of Sabbath regulations, including a prohibition of helping others on that day. Jesus uses the healing of a man with a withered hand to teach that the Sabbath was to be a day for doing good, not evil, to help and not harm another. But the healing of the withered hand also revealed the hardness of heart of the Pharisees. What is true of someone with a hard heart! A person with a hardened heart is not interested in discovering the truth, but rather in gathering ammunition to be used against another. They are more concerned about being 'right' than about the welfare of another, refuse to admit wrong even when soundly refuted, fail to see the 'good' even if done right in front of their eyes, and are capable of doing anything, even murder when driven by mindless rage. The curing of hardheartedness is more difficult than healing a deformed hand. Now, when it comes to Sabbath observances today, the New Testament reveals that it is a matter of Christian liberty. We must be convinced in our own minds what we should do. But the 'work-rest' cycle remains intact. We all need a day to unwind, relax, and reflect on God's goodness and ways!
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