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From Heaven With Love
suffer, while they would relieve a brute because of the loss to the
owner if it were neglected. Greater care was shown for dumb animals
than for man. This illustrates the working of all false religions. They
originate in man’s desire to exalt himself above God, but result in
degrading man below the brute. Every false religion teaches its
adherents to be careless of human needs, sufferings, and rights. The
gospel places a high value on humanity as the purchase of the blood
of Christ, and teaches a tender regard for the wants and woes of man.
See
Isaiah 13:12
.
The Pharisees were hunting Jesus’ life with bitter hatred, while
He was saving life and bringing happiness to multitudes. Was it
better to slay upon the Sabbath, as they were planning to do, than to
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heal the afflicted, as He had done?
In healing the withered hand, Jesus condemned the custom of the
Jews, and left the fourth commandment standing as God had given
it. “It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days,” He declared. By
sweeping away senseless restrictions, Christ honored the Sabbath,
while those who complained of Him were dishonoring God’s holy
day.
Those who hold that Christ abolished the law teach that He broke
the Sabbath and justified His disciples in doing the same. Thus they
are taking the same ground as did the caviling Jews. In this they
contradict Christ Himself, who declared, “I have kept My Father’s
commandments, and abide in His love.”
John 15:10
. Neither the
Saviour nor His followers broke the Sabbath. Looking upon a nation
of witnesses who were seeking occasion to condemn Him, He could
say unchallenged, “Which of you convicts Me of sin?”
John 8:46
,
RSV.
“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath,”
Jesus said. The Ten Commandments, of which the Sabbath forms a
part, God gave to His people as a blessing. See
Deuteronomy 6:24
.
Of all who keep “the Sabbath from polluting it,” the Lord declares,
“even them will I bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful
in My house of prayer.”
Isaiah 56:6, 7
.
“The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.” For “all things
were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that
was made.”
John 1:3
. Since Christ made all things, He made the
Sabbath. By Him it was set apart as a memorial of creation. It