hmm, interesting topic. It is on my mind often.
I think it is something that "can" be followed, for a blessing. Is it critical? Not in regard to salvation...but I do think every believer should have some opinion on it. Please don't take what I say out of context though and say that if you don't follow the sabbath you will not be blessed. There are many blessings in life we miss.
A lot of us grew up in church (I imagine) and it becomes rote. Take some time for personal study, read every verse mentioned as well as what the NT says (and it does say that the day doesn't matter I'm pretty sure). Ty
@Dino246 for the reference.
You'd be surprised what happens when you go back to basics.
It's imperative in my own personal life to have rest. Not just physical rest (because I get that often enough) but mental and spiritual rest. A break if you will...where it's like breathing room to consecrate.
Someone said something about remembrance and that brings to mind another thing we do in remembrance.
It's a personal decision and yet I believe the law to still be fully relevant. Possibly for all it is not. For me, it can sometimes be a personal exercise in understanding the Lord as well as the necessity of grace in a more practical way. Helps me with pride and inspires humility in ways that I did not experience when I was growing up. Any time I think I'm a "hotshot" I feel drawn to it and realize, oh I erred there. It also brings about new respect for Jesus in ways that I believed but it brought home actual fact...I also really appreciate the ways he interacted with the law in regards to Pharisees. Particularly their attempted ploy on the Sabbath.
Do NOT go back to living under the law. That is a clear command in the NT. However, if the Lord lays a deeper study of the law on your heart don't shy away from it. There are some beautiful ways to understand your commission as an image bearer by looking at the OT covenant. As well as the cool part for me personally. The Lord drew "sojourners" to Israel and even grafted in gentiles into his assembly...although rare. A lot of times we overlook how important that really is.
As well as having people whose hearts burned for him despite the majority such as Caleb and Joshua.
Aspects of the law do not apply directly anymore (such as a physical high priest or animal sacrifice for remission of sins) but they still bring about "remembrance" of what the fulfillment is...Yeshua!
Certainly there are others but it helps me with understanding rather esoteric sins that I feel are wrong and couldn't really find anyone that agreed until I read it in the OT.
It also is interesting that Jesus expounded on certain commandments...which helps us to understand how the Lord really views purity on certain issues.
So it is certainly worthy of consideration. Reading a few other comments. Tis not a requirement...but we do need rest. Sometimes for people that forget to rest or get caught up in life...having a structured day for that purpose is extremely useful. All just depends on the person. I'm not just talking about physical rest...often we neglect our own needs to "have a time out" because of worries and anxieties that when we STOP for a whole day it allows some opportunities. Our bodies have limits.
Anyway I'm tired...had a long conversation about it with someone that was a bit more personalized to them. It is odd that every time I say something generally and specifically it changes a little.
I think it's something to consider without being legalistic. Much like tithing (which is preached mostly from the OT). Just because you feel like it is something we don't "need" for salvation, doesn't mean it is of no value.
It could be that I take following Jesus and living as he did out of context me being a gentile but then that brings up sojourners once again.
I'm still figuring out how it applies to me, except that it keeps coming back up. There was a time where I tried to be "orthodox" about it and that felt like living under the law and I went on like this for a while until it just felt too "weighty" unless the Lord specifically wanted me to do that. Almost impossible here without cultural support. Like, if that's what it's like to live under the weight of the Law? Ummm, yes I prefer grace for sure but with the cognizance of being mindful of where I transgress and taking steps to minimize on my own end and leave expungement up to the Lord.
It all depends on your personal mission/calling here. If you had a personal burden for the Jewish people for instance, it would become MUCH more relevant.
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