The Sabbath was made for mankind, designed to serve humanity and align with God's purpose. It is not merely for a specific group but for all, as God intended it to be a universal sign between Him and His people, evidencing that He is the Creator and they are His children. The manner of its observance is crucial, as it reflects the relationship with Him, emphasizing not just the act of keeping it but how it is kept. God designated the Sabbath as a day of liberty, memorializing that He sets us free and maintains our freedom. It connects to both creation and redemption, signifying Him as both Creator and Savior. This dual significance underscores why no other day can substitute for it, as it preserves the relationship with Him when observed with understanding. In Isaiah 58, God reveals His expectation for the Sabbath to be a day of joy and delight, held as honorable and right, distinct from other days. It is a day to honor Him by doing His pleasure, will, and desire rather than our own, focusing on the purpose and intent behind our actions rather than the energy expended. God takes it personally if the Sabbath is seen as a burden, for it is meant to be a liberating delight, fostering right relationships with Him and others. Jesus magnified the Sabbath's intent, correcting distortions that made it a grievous burden. He emphasized that the law's purpose is to produce justice, compassion, and faithfulness, ensuring it builds character and right relationships rather than rigid conformity. His teachings show that the Sabbath's observance should reflect God's pleasure, bending in unusual circumstances to meet needs, as seen in historical examples where significant efforts were made on the Sabbath under God's direction for His purpose.

Jesus Christ identifies His mission as setting people free from bondage, specifically mentioning the liberation of the poor, brokenhearted, captive, blind, and oppressed. In His inaugural sermon, quoting Isaiah 61:1-2, He ties His redemptive mission to the liberating intent of the Sabbaths, both weekly and annual, showing that His work fulfills this purpose. In Mark 2:27, He declares that the Sabbath was made for man, equipping us to come out of spiritual slavery and to remain free. God blessed the Sabbath day, conferring a blessing upon the whole creation as the capstone of Creation week, promising to be man's benefactor through history with both spiritual and physical favor. The Sabbath serves as a memorial of liberation, reminding us that God is our Creator and Liberator. Each Sabbath recalls our release from slavery, as seen in Deuteronomy 5, and reinforces our desire to remain free. Throughout history, God has used Sabbaths to perform acts of liberation, such as leading Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land on Sabbaths. Keeping the Sabbath sustains our liberty, and rejecting it leads to captivity. This memorial, recurring weekly, renews our spiritual heritage and reorients us when we stray. Jesus restores the Sabbath to its original divine intent, countering the Pharisees' legalistic approach with a focus on mercy and redemption. In incidents like healing the man with the withered hand (Mark 3:1-6), He demonstrates that doing good on the Sabbath is lawful and essential, implying that failing to do good when the opportunity arises is akin to evil. His actions show the Sabbath as a day for salvation, both physical and spiritual, emphasizing that loving service surpasses ritual fulfillment. In Luke 13:10-17, by healing on the Sabbath, He underscores its redeeming and liberating purpose, reasoning that works of salvation are fitting for the day. In Matthew 12:1-8, when His disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath, Jesus highlights the Sabbath as a day of mercy, justifying their actions under unusual circumstances by citing David's example of eating consecrated bread. He teaches that mercy overrides strict adherence to rules when need arises, affirming that holy time can be used exceptionally to sustain life and serve God. As Lord of the Sabbath, He shows that loving service and involvement in God's redemptive work take precedence. The Sabbath, made for man, ensures physical and spiritual well-being, not passive idleness but active, loving service as circumstances arise. Jesus kept the Sabbath by attending services, fellowshipping, teaching truth, and performing acts of kindness that brought liberty, joy, and peace to others, establishing clear patterns for its observance. It is a gift from God to help produce an abundant life, guiding us toward salvation and preparation for His Kingdom.