Adapted from The Bible Explainer by Michael Wittmer
The Ten Commandments are repeated in the New Testament. And not just repeated—they are transposed into a higher key. Jesus said it’s not enough to not murder. We must not angrily curse another. It’s not enough to avoid adultery. We must not lust either.
Each of the Ten Commandments is repeated in the New Testament, except one. Followers of Jesus are not required to keep the Sabbath because its seventh day rest has been filled up in our salvation rest in Him (Colossians 2:16–17; Romans 14:5–6; Hebrews 4:1–11). If you’re a Christian, you are not commanded to rest every seventh day.
But why wouldn’t you? God gave Israel the Sabbath command immediately after He rescued them from Egypt. Weeks in Egypt were ten days long. Put three together and you get a month. One week rolled into another, week after week, month after month, and the Hebrew slaves rarely got a break. Imagine their delight when God gave them a new calendar! From now on they would follow a seven-day week, with a Sabbath rest guaranteed every seventh day. What a gift! God demanded they knock off one day each week, a regular reminder they weren’t in Egypt anymore.
The Israelites rested one day each week to enjoy life and commemorate their deliverance from Egypt. Their regular rest reminded them their salvation came from God. It was not their doing (Deuteronomy 5:12–15).
We are wise to follow their example. If the Sabbath rest points to our salvation rest in Jesus, then resting every seventh day is a silent witness to our faith in Christ. We won’t work every single day because we don’t have to. Jesus has come. Our salvation is secure. We rest physically as a sign that we are resting spiritually.
If you’re not in the habit of resting every seventh day, ask yourself why. If it’s because you’re free in Christ and don’t have to, then fine. But if it’s because you’re afraid to stop, you’ve bitten off more than you can do in six days, or you’ve got to keep up with the competition, then not fine. What are you saying? My significance and security are not settled in Jesus. I’ve got to keep working, 24/7, to make something of myself. Such constant striving is a sign we don’t really believe.
Jesus said it’s okay to work on the Sabbath if there is an emergency (Luke 14:5). If someone needs help, give them a hand, even if it’s on Sunday. (Christians observe the Sabbath on Sunday—that is, the Lord’s Day—because that was the day Jesus arose from the dead.)
Emergencies aside, I’ve learned to treasure my Sabbath rest. Every seventh day is a guaranteed holiday. I refuse to show up for work. Every Sunday I get to do whatever I want, because I want. I get to be unproductive, on purpose. I aim to do nothing of pragmatic or economic value. I do whatever makes me happy. Read a book, go for a walk, play in the yard, take a nap.
As much as I love my Sabbath rest, every Lord’s Day is a test of faith. Do I trust Jesus enough to take a break, worshiping with the church and putting aside my work for an entire day? When I take the day off, not only am I refreshed for the week ahead, but without saying a word, I testify to my salvation in Christ.
The Sabbath is not a duty. It’s a gift. Do you feel harried and overcommitted? Wondering where the years have gone? A Sabbath rest will slow life down long enough for you to linger and savor its many treasures. Your new life doesn’t merely begin today. If today is Sunday, your new life is today. May it refresh you in the Lord.