What is Sabbath?

The word Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word “Shabbath,” which means “a day of rest.” This word first appears in Genesis after God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 2:30 says, “The Lord blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”

In the Old Testament of the Bible, we read that God commanded His people to practice the Sabbath day as an imitation of God’s day of rest after he created the universe (Exodus 20:8-11). Historically, the Jewish people worked six days a week and rested on the seventh day, Saturday. 

God gave His people this holy day of rest so they could recharge and trust that God would provide for them. Unfortunately, over time, Jewish leaders started piling on rules, adding their own traditions about what was permissible and what wasn’t on the Sabbath. This overzealous focus on dos and don’ts eventually led them astray, causing them to lose sight of the true purpose of the Sabbath.

When Jesus came to earth, He reminded the people that the Sabbath was a gift. Jesus tells the Jewish leaders in Mark 2:27, “Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” We are free to help others on the Sabbath because the day of rest is all about trusting and worshiping God. 

Is Sabbath still important today?

Because Christians are now under the new covenant of Jesus, we are not required to keep the Jewish laws, such as the Sabbath. While we are not bound to rest on the seventh day, God does give us the freedom to enjoy a literal day of rest if we choose. 

There is wisdom and value in taking time away from distractions to refocus your heart on the Lord. Jesus himself often escaped to secluded areas to pray and spend time with the Father (Luke 5:16). 

Practicing rest and worship can look different for everyone, depending on what refreshes your soul. You may consider sleeping in, turning off your phone, disconnecting from social media, taking a long prayer walk, or enjoying a family dinner. 

Regardless of the day of the week or Sabbath activities, the goal is to spend unhurried time with Jesus, anticipating our eternal rest with Him in heaven. 

Whether or not you observe a literal day of rest, be careful not to judge those who make different choices regarding the Sabbath. Colossians 2:16 says, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.” In Christ, we have the freedom to celebrate the Sabbath, but it’s equally important not to use that freedom to pass judgment on others or to lead them astray in their faith (1 Corinthians 8:9).