The Messianic Jew observes Sabbath the same as the Jewish people do. For many years and today people have been observing Sabbath on Sunday. However, according to the scriptures Sabbath is the seventh day of the week and not the first. The word Sabbath itself means ‘means rest, or interruption, cessation, desist.’ *http://hebrewscholar.com/Hebrew_Sabbath_Rest.HTML*
There are several scriptures in the Old Testament (Tanakh) and the New Testament (Brit Hadasha) that supports the seventh day being God’s Sabbath. For instance, Exodus 20:8-11 ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.’
Additionally, Mark 2:27-28 ‘And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: 28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.’
Although the day is controversial among Christians and Jews, it is still observed by Messianics and Jews just as it was in the time of the prophets, apostles, and Messiah. Some churches are coming around to adding an Oneg one Sabbath a month. Oneg Shabbat is described as (Hebrew: “Joy of Sabbath”), informal Sabbath (or Friday evening) gathering of Jews in a synagogue or private home to express outwardly the happiness inherent in the Sabbath holiday. Now more social than religious, the group entertains itself with music, drama, community discussions, lectures, or the singing of religious melodies—all in keeping with the biblical injunction, ‘and call the Sabbath a delight” (Isaiah 58:13). Usually refreshments are provided to complement the congenial atmosphere and perpetuate in spirit the Talmud’s recommendation to eat three full meals that day.’ *http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/429113/Oneg-Shabbat*
Christians use Sunday to worship claiming that the Messiah resurrected on the first day of the week. Many people do not realize that ‘There are many Sabbatarian groups that trace this event to Constantine in 321 A.D. and the council of Laodicea held in 364 A.D’ *http://www.letusreason.org/7thad18.htm*
Shabbat (Sabbath) is a day that is very much held in reverence for the law of God and very much looked forward to each week as a day of rest. Jewish shop owners and businesses are closed down in most areas. It is said that in Israel the streets are almost deserted on Sabbath so families can enjoy time with one another in fellowship, learning, and the liturgy of the Torah. For those of us who choose this Way of life, it is both enjoyable and satisfying.
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