God's Sabbath beyond debate

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Isn't it interesting to note how a great majority of Christendom finds it difficult to pinpoint which day of the week is God's seventh-day Sabbath, yet, they all are able to locate Good Friday (Christ's crucifixion) and Easter Sunday (Christ's resurrection), as they celebrate the Paschal Triduum each year?

Not to disrupt our bun and cheese and other festivities, but I'd like to assist my brothers and sisters who struggle with this phenomenon to find the Lord's Day, as it is recorded in Scripture. This is my Easter gift to them.

Good Friday commemorates the Preparation Day on which Christ was crucified. This day was used to prepare for the weekly seventh-day Sabbath, according to God's commandments.

Recalling the events of Christ's death, John records, "Now it was the Day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down" (St John 19:31, NIV).

Hence, whichever day comes after Good Friday is the biblical Sabbath of the LORD.

Furthermore, regarding Easter Sunday, Matthew records, "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb." (St Matthew 28:1, NIV)

Thus, whatever day comes before Easter Sunday is the biblical Sabbath of the LORD.

Jesus Christ continues to call His followers to abide by His precepts. His grace saves us from our sins, that we may more fully and capably fulfil all of His commandments. To love Him is to do what He says (John 14:15). And even the apostles, subsequent to Christ's resurrection and ascension, thought it necessary to obey God's commandments. That is why 1 John 2:4 teaches,

"Whoever says, 'I know Him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person."

Consequently, "Remember the Sabbath day [Saturday], to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God" (Exodus 20:8, 9).

JERMAINE JOHNSON

Director of Communication, Education & Music

North Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

northjamaicaconference@gmail.com