I would like to consider an approach to the fourth commandment, around the concept of Godly love, stemming from the Greek word “agape.“
Within religious communities, there are stark differences. Christians often reject the fourth commandment as it is stated in the Bible, whereas observant Jews often adhere to it with Pharisaical strictness. Yet God intended the Sabbath to be a blessing to humanity, a day of rest, a break from all the weekly responsibilities so we would remain connected to Him.
Christians cite differing reasons for dismissing the Sabbath commandment. Many believe Jesus was resurrected on Sunday, while others see the Sabbath as specifically for the Jewish people. Many simply believe the Sabbath rest symbolizes the ultimate rest found in Jesus Christ, and they enter into a perpetual rest or Sabbath, just by simply accepting Him. For these and many other reasons, Sunday observance has become the Christian day of worship. However, many do not attend church service anymore. They may if it’s convenient. But it often serves as a sort of mini weekly vacation day to catch up on chores, projects, recreational activities, or simply to “veg out” and watch sports on the TV.
On the other hand, Jewish traditions placed significant restrictions on physical activity during the Sabbath. Such as a limit to the distance an individual can walk on the Sabbath. I believe it’s around 1/6 of a mile or about 1 kilometer. Also, observant Jews use Friday as a preparation day. A day for avoiding traditional prohibitive activities on Saturday, such as driving, cooking, using electronic equipment, turning on lights, writing, drawing, carrying items, etcetera. These rules aim to create an atmosphere of rest. A feel of reflection and spirituality distinguishing the Sabbath from the rest of the week. And this sounds well and good, but Jesus had to rebuke the Pharisees, saying, “The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27-28).
So, we see both extremes, One viewing the Sabbath as a mere day of rest. A day to do nothing and relax, to a more strict adherence to rules in order to avoid breaking the Sabbath.
Consider what agape love is and how it changes or affects your approach to the Sabbath. And what does this look like in practice?
Agape is a Greek word, often translated as “love or charity.” It represents a specific type of love, distinct from other forms such as eros, which is romantic love. Or philia, which is brotherly love, or Storge [STORE – jay], family love.
Agape is selfless, characterized by a deep care and concern for others. It involves a willingness to sacrifice one’s own need or desires for the well-being of others and is frequently used to describe the nature of God’s love for humanity. Agape is not just feeling, but is demonstration through action. It is about doing good for others, even at personal cost. It is the love we are to have for God and for one another, ultimately exemplified in how we keep His commandments.
Agape represents the highest form of love: selfless, sacrificial, and active, exemplified by God’s love for humanity and the love Christians are called to exhibit to one another. This characteristic should define our approach to one another on the Sabbath day.
So how do we approach the Sabbath with agape love? There are multiple well known verses that convey this approach. Like one where John states, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Or Paul saying, “Fulfill my joy by being likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2.2). Paul also makes it clear, that “the purpose of the commandment is love” (1 Timothy 1:5).
The Sabbath was always intended to be a sign of God’s people. In a similar manner, agape love is also to be a sign of those God has called (Exodus 31:13). We should be known by both, agape love and the Sabbath. And this should drive how we view each other as Christ said: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:34-35).
Paul also exhorted Christians to not forsake the assembling on the Sabbath day: “. . . consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Paul describes the church like a physical body, a functioning body where every part works together to support one another. And with this in mind, consider the occasion when Jesus and His disciples were hungry as they were walking on the Sabbath. They went out into a wheat field and collected enough wheat to satisfy their hunger (Mark 2: 23-24, 27-28). Now consider what Paul conveyed with this story:
In spite of the Pharisees protest at this occasion, this was “work” that is fully acceptable in keeping the Sabbath and keeping it holy. So, taking it to a spiritual level, this approach means considering one another’s needs and supporting and blessing one another. As members of the spiritual body we’re not to leave a need for someone else to fill that you or I can do.
Consider Jesus’s example. He healed on the Sabbath multiple times, supporting individuals in need. It’s worth noting, He did not go and search out all who were in need of healing, but when the need was made known to Him, He filled it. Just like when he and his disciples went out after the wheat. They collected just enough to satisfy their hunger without violating the Sabbath, by harvesting in excess. They just filled their need. This principle should guide our Sabbath observance.
Sacrificial duties for the priests occurred every Sabbath and high holy days. Slaughtering animals is hard work. And yet Israel was told not to go out and gather wood for burning, to kindle a fire, to collect mana, to do customary work. My point being, there is some nuance needed in keeping the Sabbath holy which includes being guided by agape.
And today in the modern church, general needs are shared by all. There are specific needs to how we traditionally conduct Sabbath services. For some congregations there is a need for a set up for live streaming and afterwards, the breakdown of the equipment and loading into a car to take it home. The roles around the traditional service also include song leading and prayers, messages and often special music. There are also specific individual needs that occur on specific Sabbaths. This could be helping with travel to church, visiting shut-ins, or anointings.
So, when approaching the Sabbath, we should always keep in mind how Jesus kept it as recorded in the gospel accounts and how often it was in conflict with traditions set up by man. And yet He always kept the Sabbath perfectly. His approach to the Sabbath and keeping it holy was always one of outgoing concern. And He always supplied what the humanity near Him needed, and especially attending to training of His disciples.
So when viewing the Sabbath through the lens of “agape love”, it is not about justifying work on the Sabbath. It’s about avoiding unnecessary self-serving work, and focusing on helping others to have a holy Sabbath. The Sabbath is not a day of strict restrictions or a day to recharge at the expense of others. It’s a holy day intended for the spiritual body to work together in harmony, causing growth and edifying itself in love.
Ryan Welsh