THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY- BY PASTOR GREG ELKAN

_“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”_ – Ex 20:8  

Even though we refer to Saturday as the Sabbath under the Mosaic Law, it technically begins on Friday – at sundown, and ends at sundown on Saturday. This is because Biblical days typically begin in the evenings and not mornings (Gen 1:5,8,13; Neh 13:19, Lev 23:32).

For practitioners of Judaism today, the _Shabbat_ starts with the lighting of  candles and continues with other activities like partaking in three festive meals, prayers, various recitations, and refraining from engaging in the 39 _“Melakhot”_ or forbidden activities.

For observers of the so-called “new sabbath” (Sunday) of Christianity; the edict by emperor Constantine the Great in 321 AD declares, _“On the venerable day of the sun let the magistrate and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed.”_ 

For the people of faith, however –Jews and Christians alike

– the Sabbath is not a day but, firstly, a Person (the Messiah), and secondly, an experience (our freedom from Sin). For us, it is always ‘Friday’ for us, because it is always Sabbath time! 

We are always resting in the finished work of Christ on the Cross, and we are always celebrating our freedom from the bondage of sin. 

We thank God it’s 'Friday' because Christ is our Sabbath. He is the _“Beloved Son, in whom (God) is well pleased”_ (Mar 1:11); and WE are _“accepted in (that) Beloved”_ (Eph 1:6). 

We thank God it’s 'Friday' because we no longer have to struggle for His favour, blessings, or presence; but rejoice because we are now _“the apple of His eye”_ (Zec 2:8).

We thank God it’s 'Friday' because rather live in fear of judgment, we live in assurance of His love because He rejoices over us with joy, and rejoices over us with singing (Zep 3:17).

HALLELUJAH

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

PASTOR GREG ELKAN

- Nigeria