Wednesday, September 8 It is lawful to do a fine thing on the Sabbath.​—Matt. 12:12.

[Áine]

Wednesday, September 8

It is lawful to do a fine thing on the Sabbath.—Matt. 12:12.

 

Jesus and his Jewish followers observed the Sabbath because they were under the Mosaic Law. But Jesus showed by word and deed that keeping the Sabbath was to be reasonable and that kind and helpful actions were allowable. (Matt. 12:9-11) He did not view performing kind and helpful actions as a violation of the Sabbath. Jesus’ actions highlighted a key feature of the Sabbath. Because God’s people rested from their daily labor, they were able to focus on spiritual things. Jesus grew up in a family that must have used the Sabbath for spiritual benefit. That is reflected in what we read about Jesus when he was in his hometown of Nazareth: “According to [Jesus’] custom on the Sabbath day, he entered the synagogue and stood up to read.” (Luke 4:15-19) Also, his disciples had so much respect for the Sabbath law that they stopped preparations for Jesus’ burial until the Sabbath day was over.—Luke 23:55, 56. w19.12 4 ¶10

[Elnathan]

The Sabbath law teaches us that we can’t work forever. We need to pause & reflect.
• Focus on doing something refreshing to us.

• Build our spirituality - by utilizing that time for theocratic activities like reading, studying & meditation, etc.   
• Not forgetting to care for the needs of others/ do good to others and find more joy in giving. 

[Vinnie]

Wed Sept 8 The sabbath law was set up to help the people to see that spiritual things must never be forgotten. If a person's focus is on work all the time and there is no time set aside for spiritual things, that would cause us to forget Jehovah, our grand maker. 

[momma]

Sister Elnathan’s comment called to mind Bro Cauthon talk from the 144th gilead graduation, even though he wasn’t talking about the sabbath, I think it still applies. He said the festivals were to be a time to stop what they were doing, in other words pause and reset. He shared a beautiful video. I could watch that video over and over again. He said Jehovah has bejeweled our world with daily reminders of his goodness and power and his love., all we have to do is take the time to look.

[Godskingdomrules]

3 hours ago, Vinnie said:

 

Wed Sept 8 The sabbath law was set up to help the people to see that spiritual things must never be forgotten. If a person's focus is on work all the time and there is no time set aside for spiritual things, that would cause us to forget Jehovah, our grand maker

 

Yes Indeed. I find that so important to always pause and reflect on spiritual things. I am a carpenter working for a building company and life is so busy where I live, there is always a rush to get things done to work overtime, leaving you tired and exhausted at the end of the day, causing you to draw away from the living God. The sabbath was a awesome instigation. Jehovah always instigates what is best for us humans.