“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Exodus 20:8 NIV
Clearly, the Sabbath was/is important to God. It wouldn’t be one of the 10 commandments if it wasn’t. The Sabbath, which begins on Friday evening, was to be set apart as holy... as a time to rest, remember, eat, celebrate, and pray.
A piece of the new covenant, is that Jesus (the fulfillment of the law) is now our Sabbath rest (i.e. every day is holy… every day is set apart). And while I believe that is true, is it true of us? Do we really set every day aside as holy? As a time to remember? As a time to rest, eat, celebrate, and bask in the amazing grace that is our Lord?
Yes, the law has been fulfilled. Yes, Christ paid it all with His sacrifice. But is it possible that there is still something special in observing the Sabbath? Could there be some value in that for us today? – not out of a sense of duty or obligation, but because God really knew what He was talking about when He told us to set it aside. He knew how good it was/is/and can be.
I do not presume to speak for God in this matter, but I can speak from personal experience – and I was reminded of this just last night. Picture this…. Friday draws to a close. The day’s tasks are winding down. A meal is being prepared… not cheese and crackers… not chips and pop… but a MEAL… a good, stick-to-your-ribs home cooked meal. The aroma fills the house. Fresh bread is baking in the oven. Music is playing. The kids are playing. Evening draws near. The curtains are pulled shut. The table is set and the meal is served. A prayer of thanks is given, but this time a little different. This time, the prayer includes remembrance of how Christ’s body was broken and that His blood was shed for us and for all. Usually at that point, the bread is broken and passed. Sometimes there is wine at the table. Sometimes it’s just milk or water. Sometimes the meal is shared with another family (I highly recommend this). But the meal is not rushed. We take our time. We talk. We enjoy.
After the meal is over and the table is cleared, it’s into the living room - Sometimes for singing, sometimes for storybook time, sometimes for just lying on the floor and playing. There have even been times when we’ve had another family over, and the adults clapped and stomped their feet while the kids just danced around the living room. Last night, my girls took off my hat and brushed my hair for a good half hour while mom read a book aloud.
And almost always, there’s a thought that is never far from me…. and it is, “Thank you Lord. Thank you for everything. This is so good.” We’ve done this off and on for the last 2 or 3 years now (more off than on). Sometimes it doesn’t work out because of travel or plans. Sometimes we just forget. But I’m thinking that I’d like this to become a practice that is more “on” than “off” in our household. Shabbat Shalom!