History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week - John N. Andrews

for life. And pitiable indeed was the case of those
who could not flee.
4. In view of the fact that the disciples must
flee the moment that the promised token should
appear, our Lord directed them to pray for two
things: 1. That their flight should not be in the
winter. 2. That it should not be upon the Sabbath
day. Their pitiable situation should they be
compelled to flee to the mountains in the depth of
winter, without time to even take their clothes,
sufficiently attest the importance of the first of
these petitions, and the tender care of Jesus as the
Lord of his people. The second of these petitions
will be found equally expressive of his care as Lord
of the Sabbath.
5. But it is replied that this last petition has
reference only to the fact that the Jews would then
be keeping the Sabbath strictly, and as a
consequence the city gates would be closed that
day, and those be punished with death who should
attempt to flee; and hence this petition indicates
nothing in proof of Christ's regard for the Sabbath.
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