Bible Readings for the Home Circle—1914 - A New You Ministry

BIBLE READINGS
few of these were done on the Sabbath. On this day, as on other days,
He “went about doing good.” See next reading.
19. With what words did He justify acts of mercy on the Sabbath day
“Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.” Matt. 12:12.
NOTE.— Not a little of Christ’s earthly ministry was devoted to uplifting
the Sabbath, and showing the beneficent character of the Sabbath
institution. It was not meant to be a day of sorrow, austerity, or gloom.
Disinterested works of love and mercy toward man or beast are always
in place on the Sabbath. Lawful means “according to law.”
20. What day is especially indicated as the day to prepare for the
Sabbath
“And that day [the sixth day] was the preparation, and the Sabbath
drew on.” Luke 23:54. See also Ex. 16:22, 23.
NOTE.— In order to keep the Sabbath day holy, it must be remembered
all through the week; and on the sixth day, or the day just before the
Sabbath, special preparation should be made to be ready to welcome
and observe the day when it comes.
21. How did the Israelites in the wilderness on the sixth day prepare
for the Sabbath
“And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much
bread, two omers for one man.” Ex. 16:22.
NOTES.— The Sabbath should not be a day of either ordinary labor,
idleness, or amusement, but one of rest, reflection, holy joy, worship,
and helpfulness. It should be the happiest, the brightest, and the best
of all the week. Such it should be made for young and old. Very early
the children can be taught the stories of creation and redemption, and
taken out amid the handiworks of God and taught to see Him and to
commune with Him through nature. Preparation for the Sabbath, therefore,
is an essential to its proper observance. God’s blessing is upon
the first moments of the Sabbath as well as upon the last; and, as far as
possible, everything should be got in readiness so that the entire day
may be devoted to God and humanity in the manner indicated.
In making the Sabbath, God rested upon, blessed, and sanctified
the day. Ex. 20:11. Whoever, then, keeps the Sabbath aright, may expect
that there will be brought into his life God’s rest, blessing, and
sanctification.
CHRIST AND THE SABBATH
1. OF what did Christ say the Son of man is Lord
{430
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CHRIST AND THE SABBATH
“The Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.” Matt. 12:8. See
also Mark 2:28.
2. Who made the Sabbath
“All things were made by Him [Christ, the Word]; and without Him
was not anything made that was made.” John 1:3.
3. Did Christ, while on earth, keep the Sabbath
“As His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day,
and stood up for to read.” Luke 4:16.
4. Although Lord, Maker, and an observer of the Sabbath, how was
He watched and spied upon by the scribes and Pharisees on this day
“And the scribes and Pharisees watched Him, whether He would heal on
the Sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against Him.” Luke 6:7.
5. With what question did Christ meet their false ideas and reasonings
regarding Sabbath-keeping {431
431}
“Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the
Sabbath days to do good, or to do evil to save life, or to destroy it” Verse 9.
6. How did they manifest their displeasure at His healing the man
with the withered hand on the Sabbath
“And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another
what they might do to Jesus.” Verse 11. “And the Pharisees went forth, and
straightway took counsel with the Herodians against Him, how they might
destroy Him.” Mark 3:6.
NOTE.— They were angry because, notwithstanding the fact that by
the miracle performed Christ had given evidence that He was from God,
He had shown no respect for their views of Sabbath-keeping, but, on
the contrary, had shown these to be wrong. Wounded pride, obstinacy,
and malice, therefore, combined to fill them with madness; and they went
out immediately and held council with the Herodians,— their political
enemies with whom they disagreed in the matter of paying tribute to a
foreign power,— for the purpose of accomplishing His death.
7. Because Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath day, and told him to
take up his bed and walk, what did the Jews do
“Therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay Him, because
He had done these things on the Sabbath day.” John 5:16.
NOTE.— It is a fact worthy of note that over the question of proper
Sabbath observance the Jews not only persecuted Jesus, but first
took counsel to kill Him. Not the least of the malice which finally
culminated in His crucifixion, was engendered over this very question
of Sabbath observance. Christ did not keep the Sabbath according to
their ideas of Sabbath-keeping and so they sought to kill Him. And
they are not alone. Many today are cherishing this same spirit. Because
some do not agree with their ideas regarding the Sabbath, or