A Reflection on the Sabbath, Sunday, and Biblical Festivals

For a long time, I have desired to discuss the subject of the Sabbath and the biblical festivals in comparison to the traditions and observances that have become common in the world today.

When we examine history, we find that the names of the months and the days of the week largely originate from the Roman Empire and are associated with Roman gods and pagan traditions. For example, Sunday is named after the sun, Monday after the moon, and several other days are linked to Roman and Norse deities.

This raises an important question:

Why should believers follow traditions and observances rooted in worldly systems when God Himself established His own appointed times, Sabbaths, and festivals in Scripture?

The Bible repeatedly presents the Sabbath as God's holy day:

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."
— Exodus 20:8

"And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it."
— Genesis 2:3

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently honored the Sabbath:

"And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read."
— Luke 4:16

The Scriptures repeatedly record Jesus teaching, healing, and worshiping on the Sabbath. It was His custom and practice.

Likewise, Jesus observed the biblical feasts established by God. He celebrated Passover with His disciples before His crucifixion:

"Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed."
— Luke 22:7

"With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer."
— Luke 22:15

Jesus did not come to abolish God's commandments:

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
— Matthew 5:17

And He further declared:

"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven."
— Matthew 5:19

When asked about eternal life, Jesus pointed people back to God's commandments:

"If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."
— Matthew 19:17

The apostles also affirmed obedience:

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."
— 1 John 5:3

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
— Revelation 14:12

At the same time, Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial system through His perfect sacrifice on the cross. The animal sacrifices required under the Old Covenant were shadows pointing to Him.

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
— John 1:29

"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God."
— Hebrews 10:12

"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."
— Hebrews 10:14

Because Jesus became the ultimate and perfect sacrifice, there is no longer a need for animal sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins. His blood accomplished what the blood of bulls and goats never could.

The question each believer may wish to consider is this:

If Jesus observed the Sabbath, kept the biblical feasts, taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath, celebrated Passover, and instructed His followers to keep God's commandments, should believers today seek to follow His example more closely and honor the appointed times established by God in Scripture rather than traditions that originated from human empires and cultures?

As followers of Christ, our ultimate standard should not be tradition, culture, or history, but the Word of God and the example set by our Lord Jesus Christ.