Embracing the New Covenant Sabbath Rest: Celebrating Christ’s Resurrection

On the first day of the week the disciples meet together to break bread… Under the Old Covenant the most important day of the week was the Sabbath … the seventh day.

John 13:33-35 A new commandment I give to you

John 13:33-35

³³Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ ³⁴A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Ephesians 2:14-16 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law

Ephesians 2:14-16

¹⁴For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, ¹⁵by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, ¹⁶and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

In the vibrant tapestry of Christian tradition, the concept of Sabbath rest occupies a significant place, transitioning from the Old Covenant to the New in a profound and transformative manner. The essence of this transition is beautifully captured in Hebrews 8, where the writer expounds upon the fulfillment of the New Covenant in Christ, rendering the old obsolete and ushering in a new era of spiritual freedom and communion with God.

Acts 20:7-8 On the first day of the week

Acts 20:7-8

⁷On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. ⁸There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered together.

The significance of this transition finds expression in Acts 20:7-8, where we witness the early disciples gathering together on the first day of the week to break bread—a practice that embodies the essence of the New Covenant Sabbath rest. This pivotal shift from the seventh day to the first reflects the transformative work of Christ, who fulfilled the Old Covenant law and inaugurated a new era of grace and redemption.

Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the sabbath day

Exodus 20:8-11

⁸“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. ¹¹For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.

Under the Old Covenant, the Sabbath was revered as the most important day of the week—a day set apart for rest and worship in accordance with the commandments of God (Exodus 20:8-11). However, with the advent of the New Covenant, the focus shifted to the first day of the week, often referred to as “The Lord’s Day” in Christian tradition.

Several key events underscore the significance of the first day of the week in the life of the early Church. Firstly, it was on this day that Jesus rose from the dead, ushering in a new era of salvation and redemption (Leviticus 23:9-14; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; Matthew 28:1-2). His resurrection represents the ultimate fulfillment of the Feast of Firstfruits, symbolizing the beginning of a new creation and the victory over sin and death.

Secondly, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day after the Sabbath—Pentecost—marked the birth of the Church and the empowerment of believers for ministry (Leviticus 23:15-21; Acts 2:1-4). This divine outpouring symbolizes the ongoing work of the Spirit in the lives of believers, empowering them to live victoriously and fulfill the Great Commission.

Moreover, the first day of the week became a focal point for various activities within the early Church, including the collection for the saints and the breaking of bread (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Acts 20:7-8). These practices underscore the communal nature of worship and fellowship among believers, as they come together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper and support one another in love.

As New Covenant believers, we are called to embrace the fullness of Christ’s redemptive work and enter into His rest (Hebrews 4:9-10). While honoring the Sabbath remains a cherished tradition, we recognize that Christ has fulfilled the law and liberated us from its bondage (Colossians 2:16-17). Instead, we gather on the first day of the week to commemorate Christ’s resurrection, partake of His body and blood, and fellowship with one another in the power of the Holy Spirit.

In essence, the New Covenant Sabbath rest invites us to enter into a deeper experience of communion with God, made possible through the finished work of Christ. As we gather on the first day of the week, let us rejoice in the victory of our risen Savior and anticipate the glorious fulfillment of His promises in our lives.

Answering the Call: Continuing the Great Commission with Signs Following

In the final moments before His ascension, Jesus left His disciples with a monumental task: to take the gospel to all nations. However, their initial response was marked by unbelief and hardness of heart. It wasn’t until Jesus Himself appeared to them, rebuking their lack of faith, that they fully embraced their mission.

This pivotal moment, recorded in Mark 16:13-17, serves as a poignant reminder for believers today to heed the call to preach the gospel with unwavering faith and conviction.

Mark 16:13-17 recounts the disciples’ encounter with the risen Christ. Despite reports from their fellow disciples, the Eleven remained sceptical until Jesus appeared to them personally. In a powerful rebuke, Jesus addressed their unbelief and hardness of heart, highlighting the importance of faith in fulfilling their commission.

However, Jesus didn’t stop at rebuke; He also issued a clear directive: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). This command wasn’t limited to the disciples of that time but extends to all believers throughout history. We are called to be ambassadors of Christ, sharing His message of salvation with boldness and conviction.

Moreover, Jesus assured His disciples—and by extension, us—that their proclamation of the gospel would be accompanied by signs and wonders. He promised, “These signs will accompany those who believe: In My name, they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues” (Mark 16:17). These miraculous manifestations serve as confirmation of the truth of the gospel and authenticate the ministry of those who proclaim it.

Today, as followers of Christ, we are called to continue the work begun by the disciples. Like them, we may face moments of doubt and uncertainty. Yet, just as Jesus rebuked His disciples for their unbelief, He calls us to step out in faith and obedience, trusting in His power to work through us.

Furthermore, God continues to confirm His word with signs following in the present day. Miracles, healing’s, and deliverances testify to the reality of His kingdom and the transformative power of the gospel. As we engage in evangelism and mission work, we can expect to see God move in miraculous ways, just as He did in the early church.

In conclusion, the account in Mark 16:13-17 serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of faith and obedience in fulfilling the Great Commission. Just as Jesus rebuked His disciples for their unbelief and commissioned them to preach the gospel, He calls us to do the same today. And as we step out in faith, we can trust that God will confirm His word with signs following, demonstrating His power and presence in our midst.