Shabbat for beginners and pickleball enthusiasts...(PART 2)
If we are going to be straining knats and swallowing camels concerning Sabbath observance, then we should at least let Yeshua/Jesus weigh in on what He thinks about it. In this second instalment of the mini series, we take a closer look at what Jesus actually said.
If you are considering taking hold of Sabbath, particularly because you are a follower of Jesus/Yeshua, then the scope of what you need to be considering in terms of finding out what is "binding" in terms of Jesus' "yoke" as an interpretation of Torah, it is very necessary to prove your respect of Jesus as a rabbi.
Jesus’ core Sabbath principles
The Sabbath exists for humanity’s benefit.
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27
Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath.
“The Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” Matthew 12:8; Mark 2:28; Luke 6:5
Meeting genuine human need is not a violation.
When the disciples picked and ate grain because they were hungry, Jesus defended them using the example of David eating the consecrated bread. He also noted that priests perform necessary Temple service on the Sabbath without becoming guilty. Matthew 12:1–8; Mark 2:23–28; Luke 6:1–5
Doing good is lawful.
“It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” Matthew 12:9–14
Mark and Luke record Jesus framing the question this way: Is it lawful to do good or harm—to save life or destroy it? Mark 3:1–6; Luke 6:6–11
Mercy takes precedence over rigid rule enforcement.
Jesus told his critics to understand God’s declaration, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice,” and said that they would then cease condemning innocent people. Matthew 12:7
People normally care for animals on the Sabbath; people deserve at least as much compassion.
Jesus pointed out that people untie and water their animals on the Sabbath. Therefore, freeing a suffering woman was entirely appropriate. Luke 13:10–17
Urgent rescue is permissible.
If a child or animal falls into a well, Jesus reasoned, its owner does not leave it there simply because it is the Sabbath. Luke 14:1–6
Some manuscripts read “child,” while others have “donkey,” but the principle is unchanged: urgent help should not be withheld.
Sabbath judgments must be consistent rather than superficial.
Jesus observed that circumcision could be performed on the Sabbath to preserve the law. He then challenged his hearers for objecting when he made an entire person well: “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” John 7:21–24
God’s life-giving activity does not cease.
After healing a man at Bethesda, Jesus answered his critics: “My Father is still working, and I also am working.” John 5:1–18
The Sabbath remained part of Jesus’ religious life.
Jesus regularly attended and taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Mark 1:21–28; Luke 4:16–31
Jesus still treated the Sabbath as significant.
In his warning about a coming crisis, Jesus told his disciples to pray that their flight would not occur in winter or on a Sabbath. Matthew 24:20
Other Sabbath healing recorded in the Gospels
Jesus also gave sight to a man born blind on the Sabbath. In this account, the Pharisees debate Sabbath observance, although Jesus does not deliver an additional Sabbath saying. John 9:1–41
The simple summary is that Jesus’ teaching can be distilled to this:
The Sabbath is God’s gift for people, it is not a burden imposed against their welfare.
If there is context for doing work on Sabbath, as we can see there is under Jesus' ruling, what does that suggest about pickleball? The answer is obvious, have fun!