Last century, in the late 1960’s and into the 70’s, there were a number of liberation movements seeking to rid various countries of those in power. They were mostly a group of radicals who felt passionately about a cause, and would stop at nothing to achieve their aims. Sadly innocent people were usually slaughtered in the process, and the radicals either killed or captured. I thought at the time about the Great Liberator, Jesus Christ.
In Jesus’ day, Mr Jo Average Jew was oppressed on all sides. The occupying Roman forces could press-gang him into carrying their heavy loads, and all for free, thank you very much!
Then there were the religious nit-pickers of the day, the Pharisees, who originally sought to ensure that, in religious matters, they were at the forefront of setting the example for Jo Average Jew to follow.
BUT.. They were the “Ace Nit Pickers” especially when it came to the Sabbath, or seventh day activities. They added so much detail to the original statement in Exodus Chapter 20 to Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.
You could not wear your false teeth on the Sabbath, in case they fell out, and you would then have to pick them up and carry them, which was sinful on the Sabbath. If a woman were to roll wheat to take away the husks, she would be guilty of sifting with a sieve.
A radish may be dipped into salt, but not left for too long, since this would be to make pickle. **
No wonder Jesus caused such a fuss with the Pharisees, and stirred the possum when He healed on the Sabbath, picked corn on the Sabbath, and cast our demons on the Sabbath.
He tackled these “Ace Nit Pickers” straight on: – “The Sabbath was made to serve us; we weren’t made to serve the Sabbath. The Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath.. He’s in charge! ” (Mark Chapter 2:27.28 The Message paraphrase).
The early believers changed their meeting day to the first day of the week, the Lord’s Day, remembering that Jesus rose from the dead on that day.
They were still meeting every seventh or Sabbath day—just started at a different point.
Just what we do on Sunday has been a cause for much heartburn over the years. Sadly followers of Jesus today could easily fit in with the “Ace Nit-Pickers” of Jesus day, especially as to what is done or not done on Sunday. Who has not grown up with massive restrictions on what to do on a Sunday, or feeling the guilts when they have participated in some activity on a. Sunday?
Jesus came to lift burdens from us—not give us more.
If you put God first on your Sunday (Now this could be where the problem starts), and are seeking to please HIM in all you do, then what else you do is up to you.
Talk this over with your whole family, and come up with special things to do together after spending time in worship. Start a tradition for the family—nothing onerous, could be as simple as a walk around the lake, stopping at the Sails for a picnic lunch or whatever.
“Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.” Galatians 5 Verse 1 The Message paraphrase
** Excerpts from A. Edersheim The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Appendix 17 P.778ff
May God refresh you and your family as you seek to honour Him as you rest AND worship on the Lord’s Day.