Luke 4:15And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 38 And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. 39 And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
This passage of scripture clearly demonstrates to us that the Sabbath day is not to be used in catching up on much-needed sleep which we did not take during the six working days, thus using the Sabbath day in a subjective manner. In the passage given above, we see where the Sabbath day, as spent by Christ, began with the important element of fellowship and corporate worship, in which He united with the body of believers in studying the scriptures and singing and praying together.
But this is was only the beginning, for after church was over, Jesus had quite a busy schedule of ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of the people He came to save, and thus, His entire Sabbath day experience continued from dawn to dusk, with hardly, if any time available for slumber, as is so often the case with some of us. Let's read:
Luke 4:40Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. 41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God"... 42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. 43 And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
This example of Sabbath-keeping, as manifested by Christ, stands in stark contrast to what many of us now indulge in, by using the Sabbath day to catch up on our zees, instead of being actively involved in corporate praise and individual service to the communities we are called to serve. Even though we may not be aware of it, reserving and using the sacred hours primarily for sleeping purposes is a sin, and if we continue in this course of action, we will not only lose the blessings of God's presence, but will also be recorded as Sabbath breakers, just like the ordinary, secular folk who work and play over the sacred hours.
It is now high time for reformation and permanent change on this issue, wherever applicable, and with a little planning and proper execution, we can enter into God's haven of rest, not in a listless manner, but resplendent with energy and zeal to do God's bidding as He may direct. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encapsulates the true spirit of proper Sabbath observance, and it is the will of God that proactive measures be now taken to remedy the deficiencies that have been indulged in our views and practice, for when God rested from His work, it was not because of tiredness, but because of completion. Let's read:
John 5:5And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. 14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. 16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. 17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!