Picture: Counsel #15 — Lord of the Sabbath CCW 92.1
Let’s be honest—most of us don’t love the word authority. History’s shown plenty of examples of authority gone wrong: from tyrannical kings to modern dictators and corrupt leaders. With people using their positions to control or abuse others, no wonder there’s a strong aversion to authority. But Jesus shows us something very different. His authority doesn’t crush—it heals. It doesn’t demand—it invites. One of the clearest examples of this is the Sabbath. CCW 92.2
The seventh-day Sabbath isn’t just some ancient religious rule. It’s stamped with Christ’s authority. He created it not as a burden, but as a blessing—a divine weekly date to rest and reconnect with God.[134]Mark 2:27, 28 In Jesus’ day, religious leaders had twisted Sabbath observance into rigid rules that reflected their control, not God’s heart. Instead of finding rest, people were weighed down. Jesus cut straight through their false authority, infuriating the religious elite, refusing to bow to their man-made rules. He honored the seventh day as God intended—from a place of freedom, joy, love, and holiness. CCW 92.3
That’s the difference between human authority and Christ’s: one controls, the other restores.[135] https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1970/04/the-lords-day-and-the-lord-of-the-sabbath CCW 92.4
“So [Jesus] 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 to read.” Luke 4:16 NKJV CCW 92.5
“…[Jesus] did not even appear to conform to [the rabbis’] requirements, but went straight forward keeping the Sabbath according to the law of God.” Ellen White in Prophets and Kings, p. 183 CCW 92.6
Reflect: How is God’s use of authority different from the human exercise of power? CCW 92.7
