THE SABBATH MADE FOR MAN.
By George B. Thompson
BY ELDER GEO. B. THOMPSON. OBSERVERS of Sunday sometimes claim that the Sabbath was made for the Jews only, and that they, being Gentiles, are not therefore required to keep it. In view of the numerous "excuses" which men have sought out, it is well that the Creator of the Sabbath has told us for whom it was made. Inasmuch as he made it, and knows for whom it was made, it is manifestly proper that he should be allowed to tell us, and it is not becoming in puny man to contradict the testimony. The Lord has made it plain in Mark 2:27. Give ear: "And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." The word "man" here is unqualified, and applies in its broadest sense. It is not the Jew man who alone is referred to, but any being who belongs to the family of Adam is one for whom the Sabbath was made. It includes all from creation to the final consummation of all things. For all the teeming millions of the past and present the Sabbath was made. If there are any who still insist that the word "man" in the text refers to the Jews alone, we wish to call their attention to the use of the word in the next verse. "Therefore the Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath." Verse 28. Now the word "man" in this verse applies to just as many as it does in the preceding verse. If in verse 27 it includes none but the Jews, then in verse 28 it includes none but the Jews, and Christ is therefore the Saviour of none but the Jews, and all Gentile nations are doomed to perdition for want of a Redeemer. Thus it is clearly seen that that line of argument which makes the Sabbath Jewish leaves the greater portion of humanity without a Saviour. Either our Sunday-keeping friends must admit that the Sabbath was made for all men, and is now binding upon them, or that the world's Redeemer is the Saviour of none but the Jewish nation. The dilemma is before them; on which horn will they choose to impale themselves? We pause for their answer.