Article November 28, 1908 Issue

THE DIVINE IDEA AND THE SABBATH

REV. CHARLES D. REYNOLDS

Jesus' saying recorded in Mark, that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath, suggests the divine purpose infolded in the command to keep holy one day out of every seven. The influence for the ongoing and upgoing of mankind due to this one command alone is incalculable. It is a serious question what would have become of the spiritual idea in human history, as presented in the Scriptures and illustrated by Christ Jesus,—what would have become of the unseen verities declared by the prophets and reaffirmed in Christianity,—without the institution of the Sabbath day.

Jesus' saying indicates that it is not the day itself, but the purpose for which it was set apart and the use which is to be made of it that is of essential value. The Sabbath stands for spirituality as opposed to materiality. The declaration reads thus, "The seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God." The concept that God labored six days materially and then needed one day—the seventh—in which to rest from His labors, and therefore commanded the man whom He had made also to observe that day as a rest-day, is an anthropomorphic picture in which the writer draws an otherwise deeply spiritual lesson. God is Spirit, and the Sabbath pertains to the things of the Spirit,—the things which must be spiritually discerned.

It is a question if the darkened material senses would not have lost all consciousness of the divine idea, or spiritual facts of creation, and man in God's image and likeness, but for the observance of every seventh day, devoted to the perpetuation and clarifying of the truth respecting the true origin and nature of all things, man included. The command is that this day should be kept holy, devoted solely to spiritual ends, for "in it thou shalt not do any [material] work." That which is substantial, eternal, and real, alone should receive consideration on that day, that the thought of these things may be more effectually carried into all the days.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
DIVINE PROTECTION
November 28, 1908
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit