If we love Jesus we will keep his commandments, so it behoves us to know his life and teaching. There are disputes over the interpretation of the sabbath rules. In Jesus day there were great debates and discussions. In no way does Jesus minimise the keeping of the sabbath. God himself rested on the seventh day; the sabbath celebrates redemption; it is about creation and redemption; a taste or down payment of the rest that is to come in eternity. It is essential and important as it becomes for Israel an Identity. He wants them to be a separate people, a distinct and set-aside from the nations. He does this through circumcision, the food laws and the sabbath is another marker that keeps them set apart. For us as believers we also have an identity, highlighted in the reading of the epistles. The new covenant; The Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty ….. liberty to be conformed into his image.

Readings: Deuteronomy 5:12-15, 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23-3:6