Definition and Origin:
The Sabbath Day, observed on the seventh day of the week, is a day of rest and worship as commanded by God. Its origin is found in the creation narrative, where God rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth. Genesis 2:2-3 states, "And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing, so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished."

Biblical Commandment:
The observance of the Sabbath is enshrined in the Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Exodus 20:8-11 commands, "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. 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."

Purpose and Significance:
The Sabbath serves as a sign of the covenant between God and His people, a day set apart for rest and spiritual reflection. It is a reminder of God's creation and His deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Deuteronomy 5:15 emphasizes this, stating, "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. That is why the LORD your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day."

Sabbath in the Life of Jesus:
Jesus observed the Sabbath, often teaching in synagogues on this day. However, He also challenged the legalistic interpretations of the Sabbath by the Pharisees, emphasizing mercy and the Sabbath's purpose for man's benefit. In Mark 2:27-28 , Jesus declares, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."

New Testament Observance:
The early Christian church grappled with the observance of the Sabbath, especially as Gentile converts joined the faith. While some Jewish Christians continued to observe the Sabbath, others began to gather on the first day of the week, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus. Acts 20:7 notes, "On the first day of the week we came together to break bread."

Theological Implications:
The Sabbath is a foretaste of the eternal rest promised to believers. Hebrews 4:9-10 states, "So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His."

Contemporary Practice:
In contemporary Christian practice, Sabbath observance varies. Some denominations, such as Seventh-day Adventists, continue to observe Saturday as the Sabbath. Others, like most Protestant and Catholic traditions, observe Sunday as a day of worship and rest, reflecting the resurrection of Christ. The principle of rest and worship remains central, encouraging believers to set aside time for spiritual renewal and community worship.