Episode 45: The Third Commandment

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.

What is the Third Commandment?
Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.
In the Old Testament, when was the Sabbath Day? (Genesis 2:3)
What does Sabbath mean? (Exodus 20:8, 11)
- “The word holiday is used for the Hebrew word sabbath, which properly means ‘to rest,’ that is, to cease from labor.” LC 1:79
Is the Third Commandment Ceremonial, Civil, or Moral Law?
- Ceremonial: Leviticus 23; 19:30
- Civil: Exodus 31:14-15; 35:2
- Moral: The moral law present within this commandment regards worshipping God and hearing His Word. Deuteronomy 32; 4:10
Are Christians required observe Saturday as the Sabbath? Must Christians obey the ceremonial and civil law concerning the Sabbath? Colossians 2:16-17.
- “This commandment was given only to the Jewish people for this outward obedience, that they should stop toilsome work and rest. In that way both man and beast might recover and not be weakened by endless labor [Exodus 20:8-11].” LC 1:80
- “This commandment, therefore, in its literal sense, does not apply to us Christians. It is entirely an outward matter, like other ordinances of the Old Testament. The ordinances were attached to particular customs, persons, times, and places, but now they have been made matters of freedom through Christ [Colossians 2:16-17].” LC 1:82

So, how does this Commandment apply to Christians?
- Two reasons given by Luther that we preserve this commandment:
  - “We keep them first of all for bodily causes and necessities, which nature teaches and requires. … In this way they may withdraw in order to rest for a day and be refreshed.”
  - “Second, and most especially, on this day of rest (since we can get no other chance), we have the freedom and time to attend divine service. We come together to hear and use God’s Word, and then to praise God, to sing and to pray [Colossians 3:16].” LC 1:83-84

How is Jesus our rest?
Jesus gives rest for our souls.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
We fear and love God through this commandment by
- Not
  - Despise God’s preaching and Word
    not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25
    “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Luke 10:16
- But by:
  - Holding God’s Word sacred and gladly hearing and learning it.
    Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16
    And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42
Why do Christians go to church on Sunday?
Because Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week. And because Christians have always worshiped on Sundays.
- Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. John 20:1
- On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Acts 20:7
- We are not restricted to one day. All days are the same and are holy. Yet for good order and so that we may have a time set apart at least one day of the week for this important rest in God’s Word, from ancient times, the Lord’s Day has been set apart (Rev. 1:10)
- “However, this keeping of the Sabbath, I point out, is not restricted to a certain time, as with the Jewish people. It does not have to be just on this or that day. For in itself no one day is better than another [Romans 14:5-6]. Instead, this should be done daily. However, since the masses of people cannot attend every day, there must be at least one day in the week set apart. From ancient times Sunday <the Lord’s Day> has been appointed for this purpose. So we also should continue to do the same, in order that everything may be done in an orderly way [1 Corinthians 14:40] and no one may create disorder by starting unnecessary practices.” LC 1:85
What is central to this commandment?
- The Word of God. The day is made holy by the Word of God.
- The simple meaning of the Commandment: “This is the simple meaning of the commandment: People must have holy days. Therefore, such observances should be devoted to hearing God’s Word so that the special function of this day of rest should be the ministry of the Word for the young and the mass of poor people [Nehemiah 8:2-3, 8]. Yet the resting should not be strictly understood to forbid any work that comes up, when it cannot be avoided.” LC 1:86
- “But what is meant to keep it holy?” “Nothing else than to be occupied with holy words, works, and life.” For the day needs no sanctification for itself. It has been created holy in itself. But God desires the day to be holy to you.” “How, then, does such sanctification take place? Not like this: sitting behind the stove and doing no rough work, or adorning ourselves with the wreath and putting on our best clothes. But as said above, we occupy ourselves with God’s Word and exercise ourselves in the Word.” LC 1:87-88.
- “we must devote several hours a week for the sake of the young, or at least a day for the sake of the entire multitude, to being concerned about this alone.” LC 1:89
- God’s Word is the true Holy Thing “God’s Word is the true ‘holy thing’ [Heiligtum; relic] above all holy things. Yes, it is the only one we Christians know and have. … God’s Word is the treasure that sanctifies everything [1 Timothy 4:5].” LC 1:91.
- “Whenever God’s Word is taught, preached, heard, read, or meditated upon, then the person, day, and work are sanctified. This is not because of the outward work, but because of the Word, which makes saints of us all.” LC 1:92
- “Note, therefore, that the force and power of this commandment lies not in the resting but in the sanctifying, so that the special holy exercise belongs to this day.” LC 1:94
Since everyday is equally made holy by the Word of God, does it matter whether we go to church on Sunday? Is it a sin to skip church?
- God is serious about this commandment today! “So much depends upon God’s Word. Without it, no holy day can be sanctified. Therefore, we must know that God insist upon a strict observance of this commandment and will punish all who despise His Word and are not willing to hear and learn it, especially at the time appointed for the purpose.” LC 1:95 ********
- “you must be concerned not only about hearing, but also about learning and retaining God’s Word in memory. Do not think that this is optional for you or of no great importance.” LC 1:98
- “Likewise, those fussy spirits are to be rebuked who, after they have heard a sermon or two, find hearing more sermons to be tedious and dull. They think that they know all that well enough and need no more instruction. For that is exactly the sin that was previously counted among mortal sins and is called akadia (i.e., apathy or satisfaction). This is a malignant, dangerous plague with which the devil bewitches and deceives the hearts of many so that he may surprise us and secretly take God’s Word from us [Matthew 13:19].” LC 1:99
Why is it so important to devote not only Sunday, but our whole lives to God’s Word?
- “Let me tell you this, even though you know God’s Word perfectly and are already a master in all things: you are daily in the devil’s kingdom [Colossians 1:13-14]. He ceases neither day nor night to sneak up on you and kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against these commandments. Therefore, you must always have God’s Word in your heart, upon your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle and the Word does not make a sound, the devil breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware [Matthew 13:24-30]” LC 1:100
- “On the other hand, the Word is so effective that whenever it is seriously contemplated, heard, and used, it is bound never to be without fruit [Isaiah 55:11; Mark 4:20]. … For these words are not lazy or dead, but are creative, living words [Hebrews 4:12]. And even though no other interest or necessity moves us, this truth ought to urge everyone to the Word, because thereby the devil is put to flight and driven away [James 4:7].” LC 101-102
Christians should not put anything above going to church and doing their devotions. Fathers especially should make a point of bringing their children to church and teaching them how to pay attention. Dads should ask their children questions about the sermon as they get older, so that they learn that they are expected to pay attention and so that they learn how to listen, so that they get the most out of worship. This should be done not only on Sundays, but every day when the father leads the family in home devotions.
Sports, school, and leisure should not keep you from going to church!

Bible Stories to Teach the Third Commandment

Nehemiah 8
Mary and Martha: Luke 10:38-42
Boy Jesus in the Temple: Luke 2:41-51
Acts 2:42
Acts 20:7-10: Eutyches falls asleep during Paul’s Sermon
Luke 19:45-48: Jesus cleanses the temple and teaches in it as people cling to His Word
Psalm 119.
Parable of the Sower and the Seed.

Implicit Promise in This Commandment

Jesus grants us true Sabbath rest (Matthew 11:28-30).
The Word of God accomplishes what it aims (Isaiah 55:11), which is to create faith and save (Romans 10:17).