Consider that the Lord wants to relieve us of the unfairness in life. He is saying, in effect, I am carrying the burden, take advantage of it. In learning this principle, following Him and giving our burdens to him (He has paid for them already) we cleanse our inner selves and are able to serve even better.

"Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." (Psalms 55:22)

The prophet Isaiah taught us that the Lord would relieve us from the yoke of our burdens.

"For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden . . ." (Isaiah 9:4)

In examining the little information we have of Jesus’ life, we see how privately and personally he takes their burdens upon himself. Lesson 15 has a discussion of a woman taken in adultery and Jesus was questioned if she should be stoned. When we get to that point, we will discuss what His redeeming lesson was.

Stoning is a capital punishment indicated in the Mosaic Law. Biblical punishments were based on the crime, not like nowadays, based on the person or the circumstances. Stoning was the punishment for a number of gross sins including: murder (Numbers 35:30), adultery (Deuteronomy 22:22-24), blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16), breaking the Sabbath (Numbers 15:32-35), Apostasy (Deuteronomy 13:6-10) and rebellion against parents (Deuteronomy 21:18-21).

A better insight to this capital punishment can be seen in the Talmud. Rabbinic interpretations of the ancient Jewish law of stoning indicate that it was required that the convicted be thrown over a cliff (the execution). One of at least two witnesses and thereby accusers, was responsible to make sure the criminal was dead. If not, one of the witnesses/accusers had to take the first stone and break the convicted’s heart. The intense aversion to directly taking another’s life would motivate the accuser’s success in having the fall cause the ultimate death of the accused A witness/accuser always had to cast the first stone and then all others threw stones to cover the body (the burial). Abandoned quarries (where the stone was rejected) would be likely location for such (rare) executions.

There is a village called Turan, close to Nazareth and Cana in Galilee, that is the traditional spot where Jesus was accused of not stopping his disciples from harvesting, threshing and winnowing grain on the Sabbath day. They were doing this for their own refreshment, needing to eat on that Sabbath day. There is still a huge stone quarry at Turan which makes a visual connection of the Pharisees and their "death accusation."

The New Testament identifies Jesus as the Lord of the Sabbath several times.

"For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day." (Matthew 12:8)

"And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27-28)

"And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath." (Luke 6:5)

There are three major symbolic reasons and meanings for the Sabbath. The pouring and blessing of wine followed by the breaking and blessing of bread has been an integral part of ancient Sabbath observance.

"The table is set for the festive meal, with the Sabbath candles glowing in polished holders. The family stands and the father raises the brimming silver cup to say Kiddush, the blessing and sanctification over wine. This age-old ceremony is in fulfillment of the biblical command, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8). "Remember it," said the rabbis, "over wine," for wine is the symbol of joy."

"Two loaves appear on the Sabbath table. They recall the double portion of manna which the Israelites in the desert gathered on the eve of the Sabbath for the next day." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

Sabbath is to be kept in remembrance of the creation.

"Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. (Exodus 31:13-17)

Sabbath is to be kept in remembrance of being delivered from bondage in Egypt.

"But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day." (Deuteronomy 5:14-15)

Sabbath is to be kept in remembrance of the atonement.

"So important is Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) that it is the only fast day which may be observed on the Sabbath and is never postponed until the next day. Moreover, the Torah describes the holiness of Yom Kippur by calling it the "Sabbath of Sabbaths." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

The Sabbath bears record of Christ: from Adam to Moses it was the 7th day to signify that our Lord rested on that day from his creative labors (Ex. 20:8-11); from Moses to Christ, the Sabbath day was a different day each year to commemorate our Lord's leading of the children of Israel out of bondage (Deut. 5:12-15); and from the apostolic day until now, the Sabbath has been the first day of the week to point attention to our Lord's resurrection on his holy day." (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, Pg.452)

To the Jews, who commemorate the first two reasons for the Sabbath, a sip of wine is used then bread is partaken. The prayers said include a recollection of the past with an eye to the future where an even greater deliverance is anticipated.

This is a chiasmas that has the atonement in the center. The Savior’s atonement began with suffering and bleeding from every pore, (symbolized by wine) and then followed by giving his body, (symbolized by broken bread).

To those who truly believe in the Messiah, the Sabbath day is commemorated by partaking morsel of bread followed by a sip of wine. The prayers are in remembrance of the greatest deliverance eternity will ever know.

First, wine and bread (anticipation) then wine and bread (remembrance), these are the symbols of the Sabbath, a joyful thought of redemption!

"The Sabbath and the festivals are particularly times of joy, and indeed it is a positive commandment, often difficult to observe, to be happy on them. The joy required is not frivolity but, contradictory though it may sound, a serious happiness. " (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

 

On the subject of guests, Judaism and Mormonism has a lot in common. I remember an old primary song containing the words, "Our door is always open, to all who pass this way . . . "

"In Jewish tradition, Abraham's life is an example to this day of supreme faith and devotion to God, and of love for one's fellow man. Abraham is also the personification of hospitality; his tent was open on all four sides. He himself waited on guests, and taught them Grace after Meals to bring them to faith in One God. Because he converted so many people to his belief, Abraham is considered the father of all proselytes, who are often given his name."

". . . aiding people who need help and encouragement . . . includes such matters as visiting the sick and looking after them and inviting needy guests to eat at your home."

"The Bible is full of examples of hospitality. Abraham, for example, broke off a conversation with God Himself in order to receive guests (the three angels), and though weak in health, ran out to meet them, personally washed their feet, served them food, and made them feel welcomed and honored. Rebekah, Abraham's future daughter-in-law, showed hospitality not only to his servant but to his thirsty camels as well, thus proving herself worthy of marrying Isaac. Jethro was angry that his daughters had not invited Moses to their home, and the prophet Elijah was a permanent guest in the home of the Shunammite woman. Job, like Abraham, had open doors on all four sides of his house so that strangers might have easy access. Breaches of hospitality, on the other hand, were considered punishable offenses."

"In Talmudic literature, hospitality is a great mitzvah, and is even more important, according to some rabbis, than prayer. The guest should be shown his room on arrival, so that he will enjoy his meal and not have to worry about where he will sleep later. The host is forbidden to make his guest uncomfortable by appearing miserable or sad, or by watching him too closely when he eats. The guest too, has responsibilities, including showing gratitude to his host, and complying with his host's wishes. Guests must not accept hospitality if they think that doing so will impoverish the host." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

In one of the festivals of deliverance, Sukkoth, the booth, (tabernacle, hut or bowery) must be large enough to accommodate the entire family and still be large enough to welcome at least seven guests with enough food to feed them! Both at Passover and Sukkoth the expected guests (who will come unexpectedly) include Elijah, Moses, Aaron, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and David.

Latter-day Saints believe in returning of prophets and messengers. Several of the above mentioned "guests" have already come!