Jesus Is Our Sabbath

Throughout the Old Testament, the Law or Torah affected every aspect of the Israelites’ lives. For example, according to the law, the seventh day of the week was set aside as a holy day, a Sabbath rest for the people. In addition, the seventh year was set aside as holy, a Sabbath rest for the soil because fields would not be planted or harvested.

The law of the Sabbath also included observing the Year of Jubilee—although Biblical scholars are not sure it was ever celebrated. The law concerning theYear of Jubilee declared that after seven Sabbath years—seven times seven or 49 years—the people were to celebrate a Year of Jubilee on the 50th year.

During the Jubilee Sabbath, people who had been sold into slavery would return to their families. Land that had been sold to someone outside the family would be returned to the original owners. It was a different type of rest and a time when the people experienced God's favor. (Lev. 25)

God revealed to Isaiah that eventually the Israelites would be defeated and carried away into captivity, but that someday they would return. He proclaimed the return as a type of jubilee when he wrote the Word of God: In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help. . . . (Is. 49:8a NIV)

In the New Testament, Jesus is our Sabbath. Paul said, I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the time of salvation. (II Cor. 6:2b)

Jesus provides freedom and rest for all who come to Him—and He provides it whenever they come. He restores what evil has destroyed. Even today. When we look to Jesus, He is our Sabbath.

Originally published May 16, 1986.

Survival Instincts

Survival instincts are a basic human response to life—even in the spiritual realm. Almost everyone seeks to organize their life according to patterns they believe will bring favor with God. We want to live.

And yet, almost everyone defies the instinct for survival at times. We may drive too fast, eat too much—or we may ignore God’s voice. And there are some people who seem intent on ignoring God—and so they defy their survival instincts.

During a time of crisis, the Lord spoke to King Ahaz through the prophet Isaiah: Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights. (Is. 7:11 NIV)

Ahaz was a wicked king. Even though he realized Isaiah was a true prophet, he responded with, I will not ask: I will not put the Lord to the test. (vs. 12b) His answer was an offense to God; it did not even relate to Isaiah’s message.

Isaiah could not understand. He said, Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? (vs. 13b)

But Ahaz was intent on evil and he defied normal survival instincts. When he died, he was not buried with other the other kings. When his son Hezekiah became king, the young man restored God’s favor by cleansing the temple of his own father’s evil influence.

Originally published December 9, 1983.

He Became a Curse

Believers receive favor from God. But there is the nasty possibility of rejecting His salvation as a gift and coming under a curse.

We do not like to think about such things, but the Bible tells us that whenever we try to earn something from God rather than receive it as a gift, we put ourselves under the law.

We condemn ourselves when we choose to trust our ability to obey the law. In fact, Paul quoted Deuteronomy 27:26 when he wrote, All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." (Gal 3:10 NIV) And no one can do everything.

This grates against most of us—and even against our upbringing. We want to think we deserve what we have. Many of us are performance oriented. We might look around and think we’re as good as most other people. And to make matters worse, if this is true, even though we can’t possibly fulfill the Law, the Law is still valid—still in effect.

But praise God! We can turn to Jesus. He fulfilled the law for us by always trusting His Father. He lived a perfect life. Yet in the end, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. . . . (v. 13) And that is God''s greatest gift of grace to His children.

Originally published October 21, 1988.
Picture: Commercial display, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.