The “Lord’s Day”

Wednesday  2-24-16 (Martinez, Buenos Aires, Argentina)     

Scripture reading for today:    Num 14 – 16     Mark 3

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Mark 3:6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.  NKJV

O.  Jesus was often accused of breaking the Pharisaical rules of the Sabbath day.  But before He performed this miracle He gave His opposition the opportunity to speak up.  He said, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent.  (Mark 3:4-50)  He was saying, “Speak up now or forever hold your tongue.”   

A.  It is obvious that their Sabbath rules far exceeded God’s original intent.  These men considered simply to speak healing to a deformed man to be “work”.  When I was a child, my parents tried to keep our Sundays just for the Lord.  They tried to avoid work as much as possible.  It was considered “The Lord’s Day” (Day of Christ’s resurrection) and a day to rest.  I remember my father sometimes taking us all for a ride up the Columbia River gorge to hike around Multnomah Water Falls (600 feet high) and to just enjoy the beauty of God’s creation displayed so generously in Oregon.  But we would never miss Sunday School or morning and evening services even when on vacation.  We were taught that every day belonged to the Lord, but that we should honor Him specially, giving Him our best on “The Lord’s Day”. 

P.  Lord Jesus, they wanted to kill You for desecrating their Sabbath rules.  They carried their religious rules to extremes.  But I wonder what You are thinking as You look at our present way of treating Your “Lord’s Day.”  It seems to me that we have allowed the pendulum to swing to the opposite extreme.  Many of Your “followers” cannot even be counted on for faithful church attendance and participation.  Give me a heart that is so drawn to You that I am always anxious to meet with my fellow believers to join together to worship You, Our King of kings... on Sunday and any other day of the week.  Amen.

Ralph