Jesus and the Sabbath

If Jesus is our example of Christian life, we must examine how He related to the Sabbath. Was the Sabbath important to Christ? Did He keep it? Did He change it? In this lesson, we will see that Jesus honored the Sabbath and taught us its true meaning.

The Custom of Jesus

What was the custom of Jesus on the Sabbaths?

He worked as a carpenter He entered the synagogue as was his custom He rested at home alone He traveled to other cities

The Greek word “etho” (custom) indicates a regular and established habit. Jesus did not keep the Sabbath occasionally — it was His constant practice throughout His life.

What did Jesus do in the synagogues on the Sabbaths?

Only listened silently Taught and read the Scriptures Criticized the religious leaders Slept during worship

Jesus used the Sabbath to teach, heal, and proclaim the Kingdom of God. He demonstrated that the Sabbath is a day for spiritual activities and works of mercy.

“Jesus came to free the Sabbath from the tyrannical demands that had made it a curse instead of a blessing, a burden instead of a benefit.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 284

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

What did Jesus declare about His relationship to the Sabbath?

He abolished the Sabbath The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath The Sabbath has no importance Any day is a Sabbath

Jesus did not say He was “Lord of Sunday” or “Lord of any day”: He declared Himself Lord of the SABBATH. Being “Lord” means having authority over something. Jesus did not abolish the Sabbath; He is its Master and Protector.

Why did Jesus declare Himself 'Lord of the Sabbath'?

So He could abolish it Because He created the Sabbath To give His followers freedom to choose another day To show He was superior to the Pharisees

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath because He is the Creator who instituted the Sabbath at the beginning. When Genesis 2:2 says that “God rested on the seventh day,” this includes Christ!

Jesus’s Conflicts with the Pharisees

Why did the Pharisees criticize Jesus about the Sabbath?

Because Jesus did not keep the Sabbath Because Jesus and His disciples violated rabbinical traditions, not God's law Because Jesus worked as a carpenter on the Sabbath Because Jesus taught against the Sabbath

Jesus’s conflicts were NOT about the Sabbath itself, but about human rules added by the Pharisees. They had transformed the Sabbath into a burden with hundreds of extra regulations.

What is lawful to do on the Sabbath, according to Jesus?

Nothing, only complete rest It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath Any kind of work Only formal religious activities

Jesus did not abolish the Sabbath: He restored its true purpose! The Sabbath is for doing good, not for oppressive legalism.

How many healings did Jesus perform specifically on the Sabbath?

None, He avoided healing on the Sabbath At least 7 healings recorded in the Gospels Only one accidental healing The Bible does not specify

Jesus INTENTIONALLY healed on the Sabbath to teach its true meaning. Sabbath healings recorded: the man with the withered hand, the man at Bethesda, the blind man from birth, the bent woman, the man with dropsy, and others.

“It was not His purpose to abolish the Sabbath, but to free it from the oppressive traditions that had made it a burden.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 206

Jesus Confirmed the Permanence of the Sabbath

What did Jesus say about the law (which includes the Sabbath)?

He came to abolish the law He did not come to abolish but to fulfill; not one dot will pass from the law The law would be abolished after His death The law was only temporary

“Fulfill” does not mean “abolish” — it means “give full meaning” or “complete.” Jesus fulfilled the law by living it perfectly and revealing its true spirit.

What did Jesus say about keeping the commandments?

'If you love me, you will abolish the commandments' 'If you love me, you will keep my commandments' 'The commandments are not important' 'Choose which commandments to keep'

The Sabbath After the Crucifixion

When Jesus died on the cross, what day was it?

Sabbath Day of Preparation (Friday), and the Sabbath was about to begin Sunday Thursday

Jesus died on Friday afternoon and rested in the tomb during the Sabbath — keeping the Sabbath even in death!

What did the faithful women do on the Sabbath after Jesus's death?

They went to the tomb to prepare the body They rested according to the commandment They began to keep Sunday They worked as usual

Even after the cross, the disciples kept the Sabbath! They did not understand that the Sabbath had been abolished — because it was not.

And Now?

Jesus’s example teaches us:

Jesus kept the Sabbath: It was His regular custom
Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath: He created it and has authority over it
Jesus restored the Sabbath: He removed human additions, not the commandment
Jesus confirmed the permanence of the law: He did not come to abolish, but to fulfill
His followers continued keeping it: Even after the crucifixion

If we follow Jesus, why would we ignore His example and teaching about the Sabbath?

I recognize that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath and that He faithfully kept this day throughout His life. I desire to follow His example, treating the Sabbath as He treated it — a day of worship, communion, and doing good.

3) Jesus and the Sabbath