We all must come to our own conclusions and be "ready to make a defense" (1 Peter 3:15). I take that advice from the Apostle Peter quite seriously. SoI tried to think through WHY I observe Sabbath, here goes!
Top Reasons I Observe Sabbath:
1. The Sabbath is the only holy day, or appointed time, our Creator participated in Himself. "He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done" (Genesis 2:2). YHWH didn't come down and eat a Passover lamb, but He definitely rested on the seventh day. He set the example. Himself. I will follow His lead and kick up my tootsies.
2. According to the bible, the Sabbath is undeniably a law/commandment. Our Creator is quoted at least TWENTY-SIX times stating Sabbath as a law. In His infinite mercy, He tends to repeat those things which He wants to make sure we understand. The sheer number of times the law is repeated also shows His seriousness on Sabbath. See verses at bottom of the "Sabbath Observance" page.
3. The fourth commandment is the ONLY commandment that begins with the word "Remember" (Exodus 20:8). If there's one thing I've learned, it's that YHWH never "happens" to do or say anything. Yet again He is merciful. I believe He included the word "remember" to warn us. The Israelites were profaning/violating His Sabbaths even before they were given the Ten Commandments (Exodus 16:28). History repeats itself, "there is nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9). I believe Israel's path of disobedience foreshadowed what we, humanity, would do after being offered His covenant through Messiah Yahusha. We are wise to learn from the mistakes of the Israelites.
4. To me, to ignore only ONE of the ten commandments just doesn't make sense. The scriptures people site for justifying their disobedience to Sabbath are mainly from the Apostle Paul. Even if we believe the Apostle Paul was in fact cancelling Sabbath, on what authority? Should we listen to an Apostle over the Creator? Further, does Paul ever say that we no longer have to observe sabbath? Explicitly? No.
5. Yahusha the Messiah observed Sabbath. We are told when Messiah came to Nazareth and "as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read" (Luke 4:16). Messiah's "custom" was to go to the synagogue on Sabbath and read from the Tanak (Old Testament). Further, we know He died without sin (1 Peter 2:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 3:5). Sabbath violation was an infraction worthy of death, no one accused Messiah of Sabbath breaking at His trial. Had Messiah broken the Sabbath, He would not have been the spotless Lamb. In short, Messiah without a doubt, observed Sabbath.
6. We are told to walk in Messiah's example, "the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" (1 John 2:6). The Apostle Peter tells us, Messiah left us an "example to follow" (1 Peter 2:21). If Messiah showed us how to walk, and we should walk like Him or follow Him (John 10:27, 21:19, 21:22), it seems logical that we should be observe Sabbath just as He observed Sabbath.
7. Messiah Yahusha unequivocally confirmed the permanence of the law, which of course, includes Sabbath.
"Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others [to do] the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches [them], he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
MATTHEW 5:19
"But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail."
LUKE 16:17
Does that sound like a guy who thinks we shouldn't observe the law? If we think Messiah came to abolish the law, we think that DESPITE what He said, not BECAUSE of what He said. Messiah clearly tells us the law (including Sabbath) is permanent.
8. Messiah tells us to keep His Father's commandments so that we might have eternal life. Observing a Sabbath rest is the 4th of the 10 Commandments.
And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is [only] One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."
MATTHEW 19:17
And he answered, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE."
LUKE 10:27-28
"I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me."
JOHN 12:50
9. Yahusha the Messiah said "pray that your flight does not take place in winter or on sabbath" when speaking about the "great tribulation" (Matthew 24:20-21). I don't think there's much debate that He was speaking of a FUTURE event. Given the fact that the tribulation was yet to occur, why would we care if our flight is on Sabbath if Sabbath is no longer required? His words would make no sense unless the Sabbath law remains.
10. After Messiah's death, we are told Mary Magdelene and Mary the mother of Joses (Mark 15:47) RESTED according to the commandment.
Then they (Mary and Mary) returned and prepared spices and perfumes.
And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
LUKE 23:56
If Messiah had eliminated Sabbath, they surely did NOT get the memo. Which makes more sense, man inappropriately changed Sabbath or Messiah's own followers didn't understand His beliefs?
11 BONUS reason: This point solidified my belief without a doubt. Yahuah said in the "new heavens and new earth... from sabbath to sabbath, all mankind will come to bow down before" Him (Isaiah 66:22). Sabbath will be observed in the new heavens and earth, by all mankind. What? Those granted eternal life will be worshipping Yahuah on Sabbath for eternity. I certainly want to be included in that group.
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