Anyone of the old covenant who did not strictly observe the commandment of the Sabbath deserved death, for the Sabbath was sanctified by the Lord and set apart to himself and his own service and honor. It was imposed on the whole nation to keep from practicing any work on the Sabbath, which was a symbol of the old covenant by which the nation participated in God’s rest.
Christ himself observed and completed the Sabbath in its spiritual significance. He rested on Saturday in the tomb, and rose on Sunday from the dead.
However, the Pharisees made out of the Sabbath a spiritless law void of love that people became prisoners of this day and enslaved to supererogation works, which are supposed to be servant to them.
Thus, the strict Pharisees prevented people from providing with light on the Sabbath, for this was likened to burning fire, which was prohibited on the Sabbath. They did not eat, cook or heat food on the Sabbath, nor did they do any simple work. The fanatic also considered rubbing of the heads of grains, even if it were by way of amusement, an unlawful and sinful work on that day.
In his lawful knowledge, and deep wisdom, Jesus showed them that man is not created for keeping the laws and judgments, but on the contrary, the law was made with its judgments to serve and help men. In this manner David entered into the holy tabernacle of meeting and ate together with his companions the showbread that was consecrated to God and his priesthood that David and his companions might not die of hunger, for their satisfaction was more essential than observing rites. God did not punish David for this transgression, but he confirmed his faith with many blessings.
As such, the Lord Jesus clarified that men are not saved by the observance of the Sabbath, or any other day, but only by their faith in the kind God. He, who thinks to gain paradise through keeping the commandments falls under the curse. He has not yet perceived his polluted soul, or the general love of God.
Thus, Christ did not command the children of the new covenant to sanctify certain days or times, but to sanctify themselves directly that their conduct with all their days might become holy. True Christians live all the days of their life in the joy of the presence of the Lord who sanctifies them every hour and even every moment. He makes their stay in the world one feast in spite of the many hardships.
Christ has made us absolutely free from the old law, but he put in us a new law: the principles of the Holy Spirit, as a guarantee of his everlasting kingdom in which there are no days, or times, but rest, and praise before the Lord.
As Christ called himself Lord of the Sabbath, he proclaimed himself as the divine Lawgiver who has the right and the power to interpret the law in new ways. He rather put new regulations in his everlasting power. Christ did not abolish the Sabbath, but perfected it by his love. In the dwelling of his Spirit in the believers, he made all the days of the week Sabbaths, and he gave us peace of mind through our free justification.
This Spirit guided the fathers of Christianity not to meet on the Sabbath any longer, for he moved them from the bondage of the law to the freedom of the children of God in the new covenant. They chose the day of Christ’s resurrection as an appointed day for meetings, and for the Lord’s Supper, as a symbol of the new covenant, of the victory over death, and of Christ’s dwelling in them. Now, we do not have to ask: Shall we keep Saturday or Sunday? But: Are you a newborn, free saint? Or are you still a servant of the law and sins?