There are two key differences between the Jewish Sabbath and the Christian Sabbath.
The first is obvious. Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, is celebrated on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. The Christian Sabbath, The Lord’s Day, is celebrated on the first day of the week. The second key difference is that Shabbat is about things one shall not do and the Lord’s Day is about things, as Christians, we shall do. These include being faithful to gather together, making it a priority of our lives to be with God’s people. And as we are with fellow believers, we gather together to prepare for eternity, to be confronted by the Word of God, to edify one another, and to yearn for that eternal rest that is promised to us by the grace and mercy of God.
Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. He said so Himself (Matthew 12:7-8). And the Good News is his Sabbath message.It is fine and proper to keep the fourth commandment (Note 1) as context as we enter into The Lord’s Day. However, let us also keep in mind the guidance of God’s Word in the New Testament Gospels. This is a day of joyful celebration of the Good News. Of fellowship and renewing of our minds. And of giving all glory, and praise, and honor to our God for his justice and mercy.
So different days. And, because of the cross, different purposes.
Start this Lord’s Day by joining in the symphony of worship with your fellow followers of Christ. And then continue in Sabbath rest to commune with and contemplate on God.
Note 1: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus 29:8-11)