Respect for parents is a fundamental principle deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing the importance of honoring one's father and mother. This concept is prominently featured in the Ten Commandments, where it is stated, "Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12). This commandment underscores the significance of familial relationships and the blessings associated with honoring one's parents.

The Bible further elaborates on this principle in the book of Deuteronomy: "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you" (Deuteronomy 5:16). Here, the promise of longevity and well-being is reiterated, highlighting the divine favor that accompanies obedience to this command.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reaffirms this commandment in his letters to the Ephesians and Colossians. He writes, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (which is the first commandment with a promise), 'that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth'" (Ephesians 6:1-3). Similarly, in Colossians 3:20, Paul instructs, "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord" .

Respect for parents is not only a matter of obedience but also involves caring for them in their old age. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for neglecting this duty, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew: "For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, 'Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition" (Matthew 15:4-6).

The Sabbath

The Sabbath is a day of rest and worship, instituted by God as a perpetual covenant for His people. The command to observe the Sabbath is found in the Ten Commandments: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates" (Exodus 20:8-10).

The Sabbath is rooted in the creation narrative, where God rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth. "For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy" (Exodus 20:11). This divine rest serves as a model for humanity, emphasizing the importance of rest and spiritual renewal.

In the book of Deuteronomy, the Sabbath is also linked to the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt: "Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day" (Deuteronomy 5:15). This connection highlights the Sabbath as a time to remember God's redemptive acts and His covenant relationship with His people.

In the New Testament, Jesus affirmed the significance of the Sabbath while challenging legalistic interpretations. He declared, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27-28). Jesus' teachings emphasize the Sabbath as a gift for human benefit, intended for rest, worship, and acts of mercy.

The early Christian church grappled with the observance of the Sabbath, particularly in relation to the resurrection of Jesus, which occurred on the first day of the week. This led to the practice of gathering for worship on Sunday, known as the Lord's Day, while still recognizing the Sabbath's enduring spiritual principles.