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An Anniversary

by Richard W. O'Ffill

Based on Matthew 12:8

MEMORY TEXT: “Hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God” (Ezekiel 20:20).

Here’s a riddle: What is Adam’s mother’s birthday? Answer: Adam’s mother is the earth (Genesis 2:7). We celebrate the birthday of the earth every Sabbath. Thinking of the Sabbath as a birthday is nice, but I don't feel totally comfortable with the idea. Let me explain why. My birthday is about one person--me. On my birthday, who is the center of attention? I am. Let's face it, my birthday celebrates me.

On the other hand, I prefer to see the Sabbath like a wedding anniversary. A wedding anniversary is not about me, it's about us. The Sabbath is not about me, it’s about us--God and me. A wedding anniversary is for married people. The Sabbath is for committed people. The seventh day, according to Scripture, is a sign between God and those who serve Him (Exodus 31:13). If people don't serve God or have Jesus as the Lord of their lives, then the Sabbath is not for them. Sometimes we assume that if we preach the Sabbath to all the world, we will finish God's mission on earth. No, the Sabbath is not what the world needs, it needs Jesus. The Sabbath blessing comes after a person makes a commitment to Jesus, just as a wedding anniversary is celebrated after you get married.

But wedding anniversaries occur only once a year. God knew we needed more than once-a-year quality time with Him. For that reason He has given us an anniversary every seven days. We work hard for six days, but on the seventh day we are free to rest (Exodus 20:8-11).

Jesus wants us to set aside the things of the week that have been making us tired and nervous and to rest in Him. The driver of a hay wagon was on his way to market when he passed an old man carrying a heavy load. Taking compassion on him, the driver invited the old man to ride in the wagon. Gratefully the old man accepted, and he climbed in the back. After a few minutes, the driver turned to see how the man was doing. To his surprise, he found him still straining under the heavy weight, because he had not taken the burden off his shoulders. Sabbath is the time to take our burdens off our shoulders.