Sabbath

 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” ~ Matthew 12:8

Sabbath is a form of rest from one’s labor. It is vital to Jews and Christians as a religious rest. Once again, Jesus confronted religious devotion to human rules in the statement above, once again. It seems that liberty is among the hardest things for people to embrace. At its heart, a spiritual recreation is an act of surrender to the LORD of the Sabbath. Unfortunately, many people relentlessly pursue oppressive observations of the rules for fear of human condemnation. At the same time, they ignore the inherent displeasure of God when they fail to rest from judgment and condemnation. 

There are countless individuals and families who resist Christianity because so many Christians appear uptight and judgemental. As a result, they experience the same treatment from church people as Jesus’ followers saw in the Pharisees. The LORD of the Sabbath calls oppressors to rest from judging others. He calls the oppressed to rest from fear of judgment. Instead, he calls for a time of focused attention to the love of God and the passion of Christ. When tempted to judge others, give it a rest and then focus on Christ. 

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In Christ's Shadow

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God; let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” ~ Hebrews 4:14-16
    This passage is good news for the unrepentant sinner who feels sure he is not good enough to be forgiven. It is equally good news for those who, through Christ, have been forgiven but feel that life as a Christian is impossible. The writer of Hebrews crafted a message for the sake of Jews and Christian Jewish converts. It reminds them of the distortion of the old covenant into a human expression of personal holiness and morality. The author implies that no priest of the old covenant can measure up to the new high priest. 
     Religious authorities are often isolated from the real lives of the people they should serve. What’s more, some religious systems cultivate an “us against them” collegial culture. In those cases, the interpreters of the law mindlessly oppress their constituents or at least perpetuate useless rites and rituals. 
     Jesus said that we are no longer of the world, but we must be his witnesses while we remain in it. (John 15:19 and John 17:14-16) The testimony will not happen if one either isolates themselves or bears witness with a few words and deeds but otherwise lives like anyone of the world. No wonder so many give in to the temptation of feeling inadequate and then fail even to try. As the “one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin,” Jesus is all too aware of our physical limitations. 
     Our righteousness before God is not secured by our own means. Instead, we stand in the shadow of our great High Priest before God. Christ’s holiness covers our sin. Therefore, we should witness before the world, not as if we are holier than the rest, but by standing in Christ’s shadow. The Christian is a far better witness to the world when he expresses holiness of heart and mind than by striving to uphold a counterfeit law of righteousness. 
     The old saying, “There but for the grace of God go I,” is trustworthy and true. The Christian Believer is no better than anyone to whom he preaches the gospel. The struggle with sin against God and neighbors does not cease, but through Christ, God’s just punishment is commuted. When one consciously chooses to see himself with humility in the company of the oppressed, he loves like the LORD in his heart. 
     Acceptance and validation from religious systems and like-minded persons within them do not equate to personal holiness. Communal oppression of those deemed “unclean” under any human standard equates to the offense of the Pharisees in Jesus’ earthly ministry.
​​​​​​​     Humble surrender to the LORD’s grace and new birth in the Spirit will cleanse the soul. Meek dependence upon Christ while standing in His shadow causes a daily witness of love and self-control. One’s tentative approach to God’s throne is only possible because of the great high priest, Christ Jesus. Therefore, join the songwriter who said, “Let them see You, in me” as often as possible throughout the day.