2 January | Youth
«Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.» Genesis 2:3
After creating all things completely and perfectly, God rested, blessed, and sanctified the Sabbath (Exod 20:11). The account of the seventh day (Gen 2:1-3) does not have the same symmetry as the other days of the Creation, like the repetition of elements (introduction, command, report, or assessment), and the time related structure (“evening” and “morning”). The Sabbath is singular; it stands out because it is the culmination of creation. It is like a divine signature that defines creation as a wholly divine and holy enterprise.
Why did God choose a specific day rather than a place in the garden of Eden? Alberto Timm cites three reasons: 1) time is universal and is everywhere; 2) time is immaterial, pointing to spiritual things; and 3) time is constant, not fluctuating in intensity (O Sábado na Bíblia, p. 24). The Sabbath is an authentic “sanctuary in time”, a memorial of creation established by God for the good of humanity (Mark 2:27).
It is crucial to highlight that time is a resource accessible to everyone, regardless of ethnicity or social position. The Creator wanted to spend time with human beings, as time is essential for life. Do you want to tell your little one that you love them? Spend time talking and playing with them. Do you want to show love to your wife? Set aside time alone with her. There is no way to express love when you are away for so long that you are a stranger in the house.
God chose to offer us the most valuable thing: time. For Him, the Sabbath is not just an ordinary day, but a special time to share with His children. The Bible states that “the Sabbath was made for man” (Mark 2:27), it is a divine gift to humanity. The greatest gift of the Sabbath is that we have 24 hours to walk in a special way alongside Jesus.
The Sabbath is so significant that the fourth commandment is the longest in the Decalogue, showing God's care in spending time with us. How about taking advantage of your Sabbaths, from now on, to worship the Lord more deeply and to do good for others like you never did before?