Sabbath and Scripture
This week in our study of Mark’s Gospel, we return to the Sabbath controversy of chapters 2 and 3. The Sabbath was the heart of the Jewish worship system, and its rules were arduous and thus a badge for those who fully committed themselves to them. They were exceedingly odious in their ritualistic demands which made them a burden too hard to bear. In the church council at Jerusalem in Acts 15, the apostles and other church leaders gathered to discuss the necessity of circumcision for Gentile converts. Peter referred to this demand as a yoke of the law their Jewish fathers were unable to bear. In other words, their salvation came through faith not the law because their fathers proved their inability to keep it.
The assessment of Sabbath Day observance by the Jews in Jesus’ time would as well fit this description. A law intended for the good welfare of the people became an unbearable yoke. The endless restrictions and requirements left all dissatisfied and even prompted the leaders who insisted upon them to improvise methods of circumventing them.
Seven years ago, in our study of the Ten Commandments, we dug deeply into the fourth commandment in five sermons. My purpose was to explain its vital necessity for both them and us, and rather than abandoning its use, we should discover its usefulness. I remember in one sermon emphasizing the Christian Sabbath as a day to honor the word of God. I began explaining where the scriptures intend us to be on the Lord’s Day. We have six days to hear the word at home and one day for attendance of corporate worship to engage together in the word. It is for the enjoyment of the congregation.
Secondly, we are to read the word. We do our best to accomplish this in our church services. We read the word at the beginning of the service, and we end with it. In between, are congregational readings and exposition through sermons. This makes Sunday the chief day for God’s word. We have not met the requirements of duty to the word if it is not freely and frequently used in our services. We are aware of too many churches that have abandoned the Bible entirely and thus poor practice yields poor performance.
Thirdly, we are to contemplate the word. I will defer more explanation as I hope in our reading together you do think about what we are reading and especially this would be true in hearing the word explained in the sermons.
Fourthly, and a favorite of mine, we must pray the word. In my original message on the fourth commandment, I did not consider nor have in mind our current practice. I did not intend that we should make prayers of the word. It is not that the thought escaped me completely, but rather the use of the scriptures in this way reminded me too much of high church liturgy. After exploring further by reading the prayers of our good Christian ancestors, I discovered this was widespread practice. Because Baptists are not formal liturgists, we have lost this practice. I revived it for our church because speaking back to God the same promises He makes and the meaning He intends, increases our knowledge of the word. At least, it takes the selfishness out of our prayers.
These are just a few thoughts gleaned from the former sermon series. It is too much for our purposes in surveying Mark, but good instruction, nonetheless. Praise God for your Sabbath attendance to engage the word of God.
Pastor V. Mark Smith