God's Day

In the Old Testament, one of the characteristics that set the Children of Israel apart from other groups of people was the Sabbath - a day when they would take a break from all of their work and focus on God and rest. They typically rested on Saturday, the seventh day, the same day that God rested during creation - Genesis 1. After Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday, Christians started making their day of worship on the first day of the week to celebrate the first Easter. In our country week have two days off (the weekend) to honor both traditions.

When Martin Luther was teaching this to young people, he wanted them to not just think about what they shouldn't do, but what they should do on the Sabbath - focus on God and His Word.

The Third Commandment

Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.

This is a great reminder to honor God's Word in how we live and also take time to gladly listen to His message for us, and try to understand it. A prayer that I grew up with says that when we are around God's Word, we should "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" it. That phrase has stuck with me many years.

A common question for students when we do worship attendance is, "Does watching church on TV or the computer count?" If you are not able to attend church in person, the livestream that St. John does is a great option, and I'm sure that some other churches do a really good job with this, as well. However, the hope is that you would be part of a worship community, not just be an observer. There is power in gathering in the name of Jesus, and having that worship community is important. If you are sitting near in me in church, I am blessed by your presence. It does not work the same for those who are watching online. So for us, part of holding God's Word sacred while gladly hearing and learning it happens because of the community of which you are a part. Where two or more are gathered in Jesus' name, he is right there with them - Matthew 18:20.