Did Jesus broke the Sabbath?
We find many accounts in the Bible where Jesus is accused of the Pharisees that He is breaking the Sabbath.
But did He really do it? Or He simply challenged their traditions?
Jesus did not break the Sabbath, because He created it. (Genesis 2:2-3)
The Bible tells us He is God and Lord of the Sabbath. (John 1:1; Mark 2:28)
Thus, He knows best how to keep the holy day He created.
And what better things to do than help those in need on the Sabbath day? Or to do good on this holy day.
What is the Sabbath According to the Bible?
The Sabbath is the day of rest God established after His creation work. After six literal days of creation, He implements the seventh day as the day of rest.
Genesis 2:2-3 KJV And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
The Sabbath is also the fourth commandment of the Law of God! (Exodus 20:8-11)
It is an important commandment! God asks us to rest on this day, to do no work, to worship together at Church, and to do good to others.
Why Was Jesus Accused of Breaking the Sabbath?
The Disciples Picking Grain
In Matthew 12:1-8 the disciples plucked the ears of the corn from a field and ate it. But the Pharisees saw the event and started to protest! They claimed it is forbidden to do such things on the Sabbath!
But Jesus confronted them and explained that God does not consider a sin such an action when the physical needs of a human being are to be satisfied!
The problem is the Pharisees have invented their own tradition surrounding the Sabbath. And they left aside the main point of this day – to do good and take care of others and their needs!
Jesus Healing on the Sabbath
Jesus made many acts of healing, taking away the pain of others! One such act was for the woman with a disabling spirit in Luke 13:10-17.
This poor lady was in bondage for 18 years by Satan and tormented and Jesus healed her on the Sabbath day.
The protest came again from the leader of the synagogue arguing that such acts of healing are not to be done on the Sabbath day.
Jesus confronted him and asked a basic question – would he not help his ox or ass on this day and take him to drink water?
How much more a woman in suffering agony for 18 years should be set free on this holy day.
Did Jesus Actually Break the Sabbath?
He did not break the Sabbath because this day was created for the purpose of helping others. To do good deeds. (Matthew 12:12)
The problem again is the rigid interpretation of the Pharisees which made their own rules from this day.
This is the tradition of man, and has nothing to do with God and His Sabbath. They invented many detailed stuff which people were not permitted to do.
But God has not made the Sabbath to be a burden as they made it to be.
What Did Jesus Teach About the Sabbath?
Jesus teaching about the Sabbath is that it is a day of rest. A day when we should do
good to others and those in need. (Mark 3:4)
He tells us this day was made for man. (Mark 2:27) It is to be a blessing for humanity and not a burden.
Conclusion
So, Did Jesus Break the Sabbath? He did not. We should always focus on what the Bible teaches, and not on the teachings of man.
When we focus on the traditions, we lose the element of God’s law, which is to do good in this world full of misery and suffering.
Helping those in need, and doing acts of mercy and healing are not breaking the Sabbath.
God told us when we work on His holy day and do our own thing, then it is breaking His law. (Exodus 20:8-11)
My Letter To A Sunday Keeper – Sabbath Documentary
The Days of Noah – Powerful Documentary (Video Format)
Bible Studies – Written Format
