Rest Days

Rest Days Rest Days Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Sabbath; Mercy and Compassion; Law / Luke 6:1-11 The Sabbath day is a day commanded by the Lord as a day of rest. It is meant to complement and complete our week of working. In exercising rest days are important in order to promote growth. It is possible to observe rest days as required but incorrectly use them. When we incorrectly use our rest days - both in physical exercise and spiritual observance we can undo what we have done the rest of the week. Luke here at chapter 6 tell us how we can observe rest days and use them incorrectly undoing all the good. Introduction - Rest Days 1. There is a rule of exercise and a truth about the body a. When you work the body hard you stimulate growth i. Muscle fibers are broken down and the body replaces them with bigger better badder stronger muscle fibers ii. This way the body says now I wont be broken down as badly 1. This is why we increase the load - reps or weight or speed b. The greatest gains and the reducing of possible injury comes from planned times of rest i. Rest Days ii. The muscles and body have a chance to repair and replace and rest from the work load placed upon throughout the week. c. Be careful with how you use your rest days though - because you can use them incorrectly and undo everything you worked for in the week i. Rest days - eating whatever or doing whatever 2. God has commanded rest days as a blessing for us - to promote growth a. In the same way though we can incorrectly use these days of rest undo what they were meant to bring b. I believe we learned about the importance of rest from God through creation i. The idea of rest was born in Creation › SLIDE Genesis 2:2-3 CSB 2 On the seventh day God had completed his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, for on it he rested from all his work of creation. 1. The word rested = Sabbath - cease, stop, rest ii. The sanctity of the 7th day was a distinctive part of the Jewish faith. 1. God gave Israel the Sabbath law at Sinai › SLIDE Nehemiah 9:13-14 CSB 13 You came down on Mount Sinai, and spoke to them from heaven. You gave them impartial ordinances, reliable instructions, and good statutes and commands. 14 You revealed your holy Sabbath to them, and gave them commands, statutes, and instruction through your servant Moses. 2. It was a sign between Him and the nation of Israel › SLIDE Exodus 20:8-10 CSB 8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy: 9 You are to labor six days and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. You must not do any work-you, your son or daughter, your male or female servant, your livestock, or the resident alien who is within your city gates. › SLIDE Exodus 20:11 CSB 11 For the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and everything in them in six days; then he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and declared it holy. › SLIDE Exodus 31:12-14 CSB 12 The LORD said to Moses: 13 "Tell the Israelites: You must observe my Sabbaths, for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, so that you will know that I am the LORD who consecrates you. 14 Observe the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Whoever profanes it must be put to death. If anyone does work on it, that person must be cut off from his people. › SLIDE Exodus 31:15-17 CSB 15 Work may be done for six days, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD. Anyone who does work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. 16 The Israelites must observe the Sabbath, celebrating it throughout their generations as a permanent covenant. 17 It is a sign forever between me and the Israelites, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed." › SLIDE Luke 6:1-3 CSB 1 On a Sabbath, he passed through the grainfields. His disciples were picking heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. 2 But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" 3 Jesus answered them, "Haven't you read what David and those who were with him did when he was hungry- › SLIDE Luke 6:4-6 CSB 4 how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat? He even gave some to those who were with him." 5 Then he told them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." 6 On another Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. A man was there whose right hand was shriveled. › SLIDE Luke 6:7-9 CSB 7 The scribes and Pharisees were watching him closely, to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they could find a charge against him. 8 But he knew their thoughts and told the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand here." So he got up and stood there. 9 Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you: Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?" › SLIDE Luke 6:10-11 CSB 10 After looking around at them all, he told him, "Stretch out your hand." He did, and his hand was restored. 11 They, however, were filled with rage and started discussing with one another what they might do to Jesus. › SLIDE Rest Days Without Understanding › SLIDE Luke 6:1-3 CSB 1 On a Sabbath, he passed through the grainfields. His disciples were picking heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. 2 But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" 3 Jesus answered them, "Haven't you read what David and those who were with him did when he was hungry- › SLIDE Luke 6:4-5 CSB 4 how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat? He even gave some to those who were with him." 5 Then he told them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." 1. It is impossible to rest properly without understanding a. On the Sabbath day Jesus and the disciples passed through some grain fields i. This was transliterated as the Second-First Sabbath - the next Sabbath after passover. b. Jesus's disciples picked heads of grain and rubbed them in their hands and ate them c. Pharisees - ever present and spying - asked why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath? i. Old Testament Civil Law allows for travelers to eat the produce of fields of others as long as it is just for that meal › SLIDE Deuteronomy 23:24-25 CSB 24 "When you enter your neighbor's vineyard, you may eat as many grapes as you want until you are full, but do not put any in your container. 25 When you enter your neighbor's standing grain, you may pluck heads of grain with your hand, but do not put a sickle to your neighbor's grain. 1. This wasnt what the Pharisees were up in arms over ii. Pharisees wanted to know why the disciples of Jesus had committed 4 violations of the Sabbath 1. Harvesting - picking the grain 2. Threshing - rubbing the grain heads together 3. Winnowing - tossing the chaff or scraps 4. Preparing a meal - the whole act together a. The horror of committing such atrocities - to simply satisfy their hunger b. Each mouthful iii. Pharisaical interpretation of the law is what has brought this to such absurdity 1. It was forbidden to tie a knot - except a woman could tie a knot in her girdle - so if water was needed on the sabbath one could not tie a rope to the bucket but the woman could tie a girdle to the bucket and then the rope 2. More modern times - 3 buildings were burned to the ground when a fire broke out on the Sabbath and they waited for the Rabbi to determine if it was lawful to call the fire department - in the 30 minutes deciding the fire spread from one to all three building and they burned to the ground 3. To be fair there were a number of things forbidden for the Sabbath a. No cooking of food b. No work - occupational - since the priests still served on Sabbath c. No fire in the house d. No gathering wood e. No harvesting or trading f. No carrying loads in and out city gates 4. Jews were exiled for not observing the Sabbath properly and giving the land its rest - and they were determined not to fail that again - they put a hedge around the hedge so they wouldnt violate the Sabbath - there are 39 categories of forbidden acts a. Sowing b. Plowing c. Reaping d. Binding Sheaves e. Threshing f. Winnowing g. Grinding h. Sifting i. Kneading j. Baking k. Shearing wool l. Washing wool m. Beating wool n. Dyeing wool o. Spinning p. Weaving q. Making two loops r. Weaving two threads s. Separating two threads t. Tying u. Untying v. Sewing two stitches w. Tearing x. Trapping y. Slaughtering z. Flaying aa. Cutting Hide up ab. Salting meat ac. Curing meat ad. Writing two letters ae. Erasing two letters af. Building ag. Tearing down ah. Extinguishing a fire ai. kindling a fire aj. Hitting with a hammer 2. Jesus reply to the charge from the Pharisees is enlightening a. He doesnt accuse them of being legalistic here b. He doesnt debate whether they were actually doing work or not c. Haven't you read? › SLIDE Jesus reasons from scripture because scripture gives understanding 1. I would challenge us all to consider that some of our issues come from this place? › SLIDE We havent read, or we did read but ignored, or we read but did not understand i. The Pharisees were meticulous in studying scripture 1. They knew how many letters were in books and which letter was the center of the book etc ad nauseum › SLIDE - William Barclay It is possible to read scripture meticulously, to know the Bible inside out from cover to cover, to be able to quote it verbatim and to pass any examination on it - yet completely miss its real meaning ii. Why did the Pharisees miss the meaning? 1. They come to scripture not to learn God's will but to use scripture to buttress their own ideas a. Taking their theology to the Bible instead of getting their theology from the bible b. Its like saying - Listen Lord your servant is speaking - instead Speak Lord your servant is listening 2. They came to the word without a sense of need a. As need awakens the Bible is a whole new book When a man was dying he was troubled. 'Have your forgotten my lord,' said his chaplain, 'that Jesus Christ is a Savior?' 'But' said the dying man ' How can I know that He is a Savior for me?' 'It is written,' said the chaplain, 'he that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.' The man answered, 'I have read these words a thousand times and I never saw their meaning until now. Now I die in peace.' The sense of need unlocked for him the treasury of Scripture. iii. Jesus brings them to the Historical books to bring up something from their History 1. David and his band of men entered the house of God and ate the shewbread or the bread of presence - unlawful unless you were a priest › SLIDE Leviticus 24:5-7 CSB 5 "Take fine flour and bake it into twelve loaves; each loaf is to be made with four quarts. 6 Arrange them in two rows, six to a row, on the pure gold table before the LORD. 7 Place pure frankincense near each row, so that it may serve as a memorial portion for the bread and a fire offering to the LORD. › SLIDE Leviticus 24:8-9 CSB 8 The bread is to be set out before the LORD every Sabbath day as a permanent covenant obligation on the part of the Israelites. 9 It belongs to Aaron and his sons, who are to eat it in a holy place, for it is the holiest portion for him from the fire offerings to the LORD; this is a permanent rule." 2. Similar circumstances a. Sabbath b. It was about food for those who were hungry c. It concerned David and his followers 3. Jesus was giving two principles of understanding concerning Sabbath › SLIDE Principle 1 - The Sabbath is about human need i. Need not only for rest but also worship ii. The Sabbath was never intended to to forbid a work of necessity or to be observed at the detriment of ourselves or others - such as starving › SLIDE Principle 2 - Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath and He is all about what man needs i. Jesus is Messiah and David was a type a picture - Jesus is the real deal and He is the Lord of the Sabbath ii. Another direct claim to deity and authority - even over the Sabbath 1. Who better to interpret the meaning of the Sabbath and save it from misunderstanding iii. Our rest is in Jesus › SLIDE Rest Days Under Wrong Motivations › SLIDE Luke 6:6-8 CSB 6 On another Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. A man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7 The scribes and Pharisees were watching him closely, to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they could find a charge against him. 8 But he knew their thoughts and told the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand here." So he got up and stood there. › SLIDE Luke 6:9-11 CSB 9 Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you: Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?" 10 After looking around at them all, he told him, "Stretch out your hand." He did, and his hand was restored. 11 They, however, were filled with rage and started discussing with one another what they might do to Jesus. 1. Rest days under the wrong motivation spoils your work a. The Pharisees and scribes were watching Jesus intently - looking to see if He WOULD heal on the Sabbath i. Notice the importance of this - they werent questioning if He COULD heal, but WOULD He 1. Were they wanting to witness a miracle? Yes, but not to believe but rather to accuse and condemn a. When it says to find a charge against Him - it means a legal accusation to be used in court ii. It is thought that the Pharisees brought this man here on the Sabbath so he could be healed - not to benefit him but so they could finally get Jesus b. Jesus the discerner of hearts and thoughts knew their thoughts i. He called the man with the shriveled hand to Himself ii. Because Jesus would not be controlled one way or the other 2. Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or evil, to save a life or destroy it? a. Jesus asked this question to emphasize a truth › SLIDE There is never a wrong day to do something truly good b. People steeped in tradition and ritual and legalism cannot accept - needs come before rituals › SLIDE God desires mercy before sacrifice Hosea 6:6 NKJV 6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. › SLIDE - loving others is more important than rituals Isaiah 58:1-2 CSB 1 "Cry out loudly, don't hold back! Raise your voice like a trumpet. Tell my people their transgression and the house of Jacob their sins. 2 They seek me day after day and delight to know my ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not abandon the justice of their God. They ask me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God." › SLIDE Isaiah 58:3-4 CSB 3 "Why have we fasted, but you have not seen? We have denied ourselves, but you haven't noticed!" "Look, you do as you please on the day of your fast, and oppress all your workers. 4 You fast with contention and strife to strike viciously with your fist. You cannot fast as you do today, hoping to make your voice heard on high. › SLIDE Isaiah 58:5-7 CSB 5 Will the fast I choose be like this: A day for a person to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD? 6 Isn't this the fast I choose: To break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to ignore your own flesh and blood? › SLIDE Isaiah 58:8-9 CSB 8 Then your light will appear like the dawn, and your recovery will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the LORD's glory will be your rear guard. 9 At that time, when you call, the LORD will answer; when you cry out, he will say, 'Here I am.' If you get rid of the yoke among you, the finger-pointing and malicious speaking, › SLIDE - the sacrifices of God Psalm 51:17 CSB 17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God. › SLIDE It is always good and right to meet human need with mercy › SLIDE Micah 6:8 NKJV 8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? › SLIDE - love fulfills the law Romans 13:8-10 CSB 8 Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not covet; and any other commandment, are summed up by this commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself. 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law. c. Jesus in asking this question revealed a truth needed › SLIDE Principle 3 - Sabbath is not a reason or excuse to refuse to do that which is good or permission to do evil 1. To refuse to alleviate suffering is to do evil to the sufferer 2. All it takes for evil to persist is good men do nothing - James 4:17 - it is a sin to know good and not do it › SLIDE Principle 4 - Compassion and love supersedes Sabbath law › SLIDE Matthew 12:11-12 CSB 11 He replied to them, "Who among you, if he had a sheep that fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn't take hold of it and lift it out? 12 A person is worth far more than a sheep; so it is lawful to do what is good on the Sabbath." Conclusion The Sabbath was made for man - not the other way around. It is a gift from God intended for man's good. When rightly understood - it does not neglect necessity or mercy. The Pharisees with strict observance and oppressive inflexible rules turned the Sabbath from a blessing into a burden. Jesus challenged their doctrine and authority over the sabbath - and showed He is here to restore the blessing of the Rest Day! › SLIDE Any application of Sabbath law which operates to the detriment of men is out of harmony with God's purpose and intention. › SLIDE If you are motivated by whether something is lawful you mis the Lord's principle that proper motivation is whether something is loving › SLIDE Romans 13:10 Love, therefore is the fulfillment of the law a. Remebering the two greatest commandments Jesus says He is the Lord of the Sabbath - this means so much more than He is Lord over the commandment to rest but that He is the one who gives us rest A spiritual Sabbath rest in our hearts always › SLIDE Matthew 11:28-30 CSB 28 "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Trust in the Saviour who gives rest from working and keeping the law - rest because your sins are forgiven and you are reconciled › SLIDE Romans 5:10-11 CSB 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation. Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 1:53 PM November 16, 2019.