Excuse XXV
Doing Good on the Sabbath
Question:
Didn’t Jesus teach that His people should do that which furthers the cause of righteousness and proper Sabbath observance even if it requires God’s law to be modified?
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Virtually every Church leader who embraces the practice of dining out on the Sabbath claims to take his lead from the scriptures. Sadly, the scriptures are never quite what they seem to be. In other words these ministers invariably modify God’s word in order for it to prove their point(s). In essence they must twist them to say what they don’t, or they will claim that although the Bible doesn’t say a particular thing, it should have said it. One COG member, who described himself as a “critical thinker,” took this approach in a letter defending Sabbath dining. In it, he claims that this practice is the moral equivalent of Jesus healing on this day because both acts advance the cause of righteousness. When doing so, he suggests that Jesus’ Sabbath miracles would normally go contrary to God’s law, but were done by Him in the interest of a greater good. However, nowhere does he support this view with scripture. Here is how he makes his point.
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.
A Perfect Match
Let’s see if we understand the point here. According to this believer, going back 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, this man contends that he may now purchase the services of unbelievers because it makes his Sabbath better as well. Therefore, according to the last sentence of his quote, this man believes he is doing "EXACTLY" what Jesus did.
It sure would be easier if this Bible “scholar” would simply provide an example of the Messiah, or any other man of God, buying their food on the Sabbath—or, soliciting the labor of unbelievers on holy time. Unfortunately, no such example exists, which leaves him to compose his own Biblical proof.
This argument illustrates how far some will go to justify sin. In this case, it is offered to "prove" that its proponent's behavior is just like that of his Savior. However, if this long standing member truly wants to emulate Jesus’ Sabbath behavior, we recommend he try visiting a hospital or nursing home and encouraging the less fortunate—not go out to his favorite Italian restaurant and be catered to by unbelievers.
Jesus’ Sabbath Miracles
Furthermore, contrary to what this man asserts, there is NOTHING about healing on the Sabbath that requires a “variant” to Sabbath observance. In other words, there is not now, nor has there ever been a prohibition against healing on God's day. In truth, healing on the Sabbath is an act that proclaims the very Kingdom this day pictures (see: Isa. 35)A Final Thought
While Jesus’ Sabbath miracles proclaim a message of great hope revealed in His Kingdom, going to a restaurant does not. Everything about Sabbath dining is an insult to both that Kingdom and its King. What takes place in restaurants every Sabbath and holy day is a perfect example of bondage and is a reflection of spiritual Egypt. The real tragedy here is that those who profane God's Sabbath by laboring on this day don't know any better. God’s people, on the other hand, have no excuse.
