Should We Honor the Sabbath Today?

The Pharisees of Jesus' day were notorious for making the Sabbath something it was never intended to be. They made it a burden when it was a day to relieve burdens. God's intent for the Sabbath was mercy (Matt. 12:1-8), from God to man and from man towards man. The Sabbath was never meant to be a legalistic, people-watching, play by the rules or you'll be in trouble kind of day. Christians are not commanded to keep the Sabbath in the New Testament, but neither are we told to ignore it. Jesus came to clarify the true meaning of everything, including the Sabbath. We are not to observe it legalistically, forcing a way of behavior on others, but we are to celebrate God's merciful gift to us of a day of rest once every seven days. We need it, just as we need all the gifts God gives.