Argument VII
Doing Good on the Sabbath
At the risk of sounding redundant, we feel compelled to once again remind those reading this series of articles that throughout his letter Mr. George repeatedly stated that he relied solely on scriptural evidence, not human reasoning, when presenting his case. However, thus far he hasn’t come close to doing so. At every turn he contorts the scriptures to say what they don’t or he will claim that although they don’t say something they should have said it. Mr. George repeatedly presents examples of Jesus doing or saying one thing and then claiming it is in principle, something else altogether. We have to hand it to him; at least he’s consistent.
This time Mr. George takes Jesus' teaching about doing good on the Sabbath and uses it to "prove" that going to a restaurant applies here because anything done to "enhance" the Sabbath must be acceptable with God. And according to Mr. George, dining out on the seventh day definitely enhances his Sabbath worship.
Mr. George:
We normally view Matthew 12:10 as the principle "it's ok to do good on the Sabbath." That's fine. But is there not more than one principle conveyed by this passage, too? I'd like to point out Christ could have waited. Surely the man's hand hadn't withered the same day. Nor was the withered hand life threatening. (Probably to make His point, He had to do that particular healing on the Sabbath.) But, in not waiting, he provides a variant of the above principle: You may, and you should, do a thing of which other Sabbath-keepers with a too-negative view do not approve, if it actually furthers the cause of righteousness and Sabbath observance. This is exactly what those who believe dining in restaurants enhances the keeping of holy Sabbath are doing.
Our Response:
Let’s see if we understand the point here. According to Mr. George, going into the world and seeking out a place where the Sabbath has to be profaned in order for him to buy its products, "furthers the cause of righteousness and Sabbath observance." Is that it? And because by healing on the Sabbath, Jesus made that day better, Mr. George believes he may now purchase the services of unbelievers because it makes his Sabbath better. Therefore, according to the last sentence of his quote, Mr. George believes he is doing "EXACTLY" what Jesus did. Human reasoning? We think so.
It sure would be easier if Mr. George would simply provide an example of Jesus, or any other man of God, buying their food on the Sabbath. Unfortunately, no man of God ever did such a thing, which leaves him to compose his own Biblical proof. Human reasoning? We think so.
In truth, everything about what Jesus did in this miracle was in total keeping with God's Sabbath. In a very real sense the Messiah was proclaiming the same Kingdom the Sabbath pictures.
The Great prophet Isaiah described that kingdom as one filled with miraculous healing (Isa. 35:). Jesus also spoke of great miracles when He identified Himself as the Messiah who would deliver His people. Here is what He told the disciples of John the Baptist when John sent them to ask if He was the Christ or should they seek another.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. (Mt. 11:4-5)
Dear Mr. George,
While Jesus healing on the Sabbath proclaims a great message of hope revealed in His Kingdom, going to a restaurant does not. Everything about your Sabbath dining is an insult to both that Kingdom and its King. What takes place in your restaurant is a perfect example of bondage and is a reflection of spiritual Egypt. It is a manifestation of everything that is wrong in this world. The real tragedy here is that those who profane God's Sabbath by laboring on this day don't know any better. You, on the other hand, have no excuse.
Respectfully,
Blow the Trumpet
Argument VIII