John 20:26

Then after eight days again His disciples were within

The Christian Sabbath

Jesus rose the first day of the week, and appeared to His disciples.

Then He appeared not again till the eighth day after, nor do we read of the disciples meeting meanwhile. The day is thus mentioned for some special end, which could be no other but to show the translation of the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first. Hence, therefore

1. It appears that Christ preferred the first day before the seventh.

2. The disciples had their public and solemn meetings on that day (Acts 1 Corinthians 16:2).

3. It is called the Lord’s day (Revelation 1:10), as the Eucharist is called the Lord’s supper (1 Corinthians 11:20). John supposing thereby the day to be well known. So Ignatius and Tertullion. Justin Martyr calls it Sunday. So then the Jewish Sabbath was buried with Christ, and the Christian rose with Him.

I. WHY WAS THE DAY THUS CHANGED?

1. The Jewish Sabbath, as kept on the seventh day, was but a ceremony peculiar to the Jews; a sign that God was their God, and they His people Exodus 31:13, Exodus 31:17; Ezekiel 20:12; Ezekiel 20:30). But now they have ceased to be God’s peculiar people, and therefore the sign must needs cease.

2. The Jewish Sabbath was kept in commemoration not only of creation but of redemption from Egypt (Exodus 20:8; Deuteronomy 5:13). But this redemption was but a type of Christ’s, and must needs give place to it. Hence the Sabbath was among the shadows of those things to Colossians 2:16).

3. The Jewish Sabbath began but in Moses; for we read not of their keeping it till it rained manna (Exodus 16:1); and if we reckon back from this we find that Pharaoh was destroyed on the Sabbath. But on our Sabbath our spiritual Pharaoh was destroyed; for Jesus rose from the dead. Moreover, all the Mosaical law ended in Christ, and therefore this: and the Jews still adhering to it were destroyed on it; for it was their Sabbath when Jerusalem was taken.

II. WHETHER WE ARE BOUND TO OBSERVE THE LORD’S DAY AS THE JEWS THEIR SABBATH?

1. Though the appointment of one day in seven for the religious rest be of positive institution, yet the rest or duty to be observed on that day is certainly moral and perpetual. Now

(1) This was ordained before Moses (Genesis 2:2). Questionless, the patriarchs observed it; be sure they had weeks (Genesis 29:27).

(2) It is part of the ten commandments (Matthew 5:18).

(3) The reasons assigned for keeping it are moral and perpetual; as

(a) It is a Sabbath or rest of the Lord.

(b) On that day He rested from the work of creation.

(c) He blessed and sanctified it.

(4) The law of nature teaches that we ought to set apart some time for God’s service, and there seems to have been some remains of this day among the heathen.

2. The reason of observing one day in seven is the same to Christians as to Jews and patriarchs, i.e., on account of the Creation, which we are obliged to bless and serve God for, as they; and as to the designation of the Lord’s day in particular, that certainly is much more binding on Christians, as our deliverance was greater, and of infinitely more consequence.

III. HOW MUST THIS DAY BE SPENT? It must be sanctified, i.e., set apart unto the Lord.

1. You must lay aside all worldly employment (Exodus 20:8; Leviticus 23:2; Amos 8:5; Nehemiah 13:19).

2. And all carnal pleasures, which impede God’s service (Isaiah 58:13).

3. And set apart the day

(1) For private devotions, to rest in God (Isaiah 58:13).

(2) For public duties (Luke 4:16); as the apostles. For this end

(a) Set your worldly business in order over night.

(b) So soon as you are awake remember it is the Sabbath.

(c) Endeavour by prayer and meditation to get above the world.

(d) Absent not yourself from the public worship of God.

(e) Fill up the intervals as much as possible with prayer, reading, meditation, conferring.

Conclusion: Consider

1. God has given you six days, and set apart this for Himself; do not rob Him of it (Ezekiel 23:38).

2. Consider the judgments upon profaneness of it (Numbers 15:33).

3. There is a blessing promised to them that sanctify it (Isaiah 56:2; Isaiah 56:6).

4. This is the way to live as if in heaven upon earth.

5. This is the way to spend an eternal Sabbath in heaven when we are parted from the earth. (Bp. Beveridge)

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Peace be unto you.

Peace from the risen Christ

I. THE BLESSING PRONOUNCED. Peace; that which is needed by

1. The mind perplexed with doubt.

2. The conscience oppressed with guilt.

3. The heart agitated with sorrow.

II. WHO PRONOUNCED IT? He

1. Who had Himself felt the need of it.

2. Whose death purchased it.

3. Whose life secures it.

III. WHEN?

1. When the resurrection had ratified it.

2. When the disciples were seeking it. (Newman Hall, LL. B.)