Keeping a Sabbath or the Sabbath
It might not seem like much of a difference, but there is a difference between keeping a Sabbath and keeping the Sabbath. To be honest, initially, I did not think there was a difference. It was in a discussion with my professor that it all began to make sense. Up to this point, we have been speaking about both. It may seem like a subtle difference based on one word, but it is much more meaningful when we can distinguish the two. This time around, we will focus on the two concepts and how we can learn to live in the holistic rhythms of both. (To avoid any confusion, I will italicize terms (for example, “a” or “the”) to clarify the distinction between the two categories. Otherwise, I will use the term “the” to signify the keeping of a Sabbath as a regular rhythm).
The Difference between the Day of Sabbath Versus its Concept
For many people, their understanding of the Sabbath falls into two categories. The first category is the Sabbath (the day), or Shabbat, as practiced by the Jewish community. This day was kept on the seventh day of the week. This is the category that many are familiar with. Biblical literature is rich with passages on the Sabbath. We covered it a bit in my previous posts. In the Old Testament, we find the commandment from God given to the people of Israel. In multiple passages, we read of the importance and commitment of the people to keep (or break) the Sabbath. In Exodus 20:8 and Deuteronomy 5:12 in particular, we find the people coming to an understanding of the central place of keeping the Sabbath in their culture, and their relationship with the Lord. Later, in the New Testament, we witness the fulfillment of the Sabbath through Jesus, as he professes his rightful place as heir to the throne of God (Matthew 12:8, Mark 2:28, and Luke 6:5).
The second category is a Sabbath (the concept), which most Christians are loosely familiar with. This category often serves as a replacement for the Sabbath by taking place on Sunday, a time when most Christian churches meet for worship. Because church services take place on Sunday, many Christians have seen this day as a substitution for the Sabbath. Living in the fulfillment of the commandments through their relationship with Jesus, many have grown to see the Sabbath fulfilled through their Sunday observance as a day set apart and holy. Although a Sabbath cannot be substituted for the Sabbath, many Christians remain faithful to the observance.
Regardless of which category we choose to observe, together, the day and concept of Sabbath-keeping, are opportunities where we get to experience the fullness of the heart of God. In the New Testament, we can see how Jesus viewed the Sabbath in light of the religious people. The stories of Jesus healing people on the Sabbath, a large contention for them, was a point where we recognize how God views life. Barbara Meyer goes as far as to say that Jesus “saved and preserved” human life specifically on the Sabbath because that was of the highest value.[1] This reveals the gift that Sabbath is, not just for me and you, but for all people!
Keeping a Sabbath Versus Keeping the Sabbath
The Sabbath is a beautiful reminder of God’s lovingkindness towards humanity. To the Jew and Gentile alike, we have experienced a loving God who draws us to himself as the source of our place of rest. To this day, the Jewish people continue to keep the Sabbath as a covenant between God and his people. Before giving the Ten Commandments to them, God made a covenant with them,
“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine” (Exodus 19:5, ESV).
The covenant he made with them is unique from any other covenant that he made with humanity. Therefore, to keep the Sabbath as a Jew is to keep a covenant with God. In this covenant, God promised to make the Jewish people his treasured people from all others on the other. From this group of people, he would bring forth his Son into the earth.
On the other hand, the new covenant that came through Jesus was for all of those who would call him Lord. As Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, he established a new covenant through his sacrifice,
“For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt. 5:28, ESV).
Now, any who call upon Jesus as Lord of lords are invited to partake in a relationship with God, the Creator, the One who invites us with his gift of rest. Thus, any who are not of Jewish ancestry would be partaking in a Sabbath, rather than the Sabbath. Because as we see, the difference is not simply mechanics, it is a covenant difference.
Should Christians Still Keep a Sabbath?
Although used interchangeably, keeping the Sabbath and keeping a Sabbath are different contexts and covenants. Based on the differing covenants, it is clear that keeping a Sabbath would be any other way of observance. This leads us to the question that often has a great differing of opinion, should Christians, who are not Jewish, still keep a Sabbath? Although it is rarely taught in Christian churches, I find great value in what God values, union with him and others. And based on what I have studied, as well as experienced, my answer is yes.
Some scholars have spent years studying Sabbath keeping (way more extensively than I have). One common thesis that we have all arrived at is that Sabbath keeping is a practice. Like any practice, including spiritual ones, they require patience, willingness to learn, and so much grace. It is only with God’s grace that we can learn to sit at his feet as his Holy Spirit teaches us about this precious gift he has given to all of humanity. I find that the more I learn about Sabbath keeping, the more I realize that I have so much that I still need to learn. At first, Sabbath-keeping felt like a chore to prepare for and partake in. It felt impossible to add to my week. But, only in learning from some of the most influential voices on Sabbath-keeping, as well as the Scriptures, that I recognized that I was unintentionally leaning toward legalism in my attempt to get it “right.” In Mark 2:27, Jesus once again shakes things up when he reminds those prone to legalism that,
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (ESV).
In other words, Sabbath is a gift for humanity. God did not create it as a ruler that humanity must live up to, as many in that community did. We must view Sabbath keeping in its proper context, as a unifying gift from God to those he cherishes. Therefore, I gracefully accept that I, and every other human, am still learning how-to live-in Sabbath rhythms in a way that invites the delight of the Lord to permeate our hearts.
Next Steps
Sabbath-keeping has been more than a benefit to my life. It has been a delight to experience what awaits me. My life has been greatly enriched as I witness the fruit of Sabbath-keeping in my day-to-day life. I am more sensitive to God’s invitation to sit with him throughout my day. I am more aware of my boundaries. It has led to an increase in silence and stillness in my life where there was once bustling noise and activity.
As for my family, we choose to keep a Sabbath. And throughout our week, we commit ourselves to the rhythms of Sabbath rest. Do not get me wrong, we still have moments of blowing past those signs of restful living, but as we grow deeper into our Sabbath-keeping, we grow more aware of the grace in our lives to learn the Sabbath rhythms we were created to live by.
By no means do I believe that we have figured it all out. Sabbath-keeping is not a formula that can get you rested up quickly. It is a daily choice to lean into an authentic and grace-filled union with God. It is a place that I hold dear. I know what my life felt like before. I often confused my busyness with fruitfulness. Since introducing Sabbath rhythms, I feel like I have been awakened to what has been there, waiting for my attention. Next time, we will explore what it looks like to cultivate Sabbath rhythms in everyday life. I cannot wait to share what we have learned as a family, and how what we practice privately, becomes a part of what we do socially.
~Natasha
Notes:
[1] Barbara U. Meyer, "Not just the Time of the Other—What does it Mean for Christians Today to Remember Shabbat and Keep it Holy?" Religions 13, no. 8 (2022): 736, https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/not-just-time-other-what-does-mean-christians/docview/2706291967/se-2.