SHOULD I ATTEND FUNERALS, WEDDINGS, GRADUATIONS, OR ENGAGE IN MARITAL RELATIONS ON THE SABBATH DAY?
One of the most important questions sincere Christians ask is: What activities are appropriate on God's holy Sabbath day? Should a Christian attend funerals, weddings, graduations, or engage in marital relations on the Sabbath? These questions deserve careful consideration because the Sabbath is not an ordinary day. It is God's holy day, set apart from all other days of the week. Before answering these questions, let us consider an event that occurred during the death and burial of Jesus Christ. The answer may not be as complicated as many people think if we allow the Bible to guide our reasoning.
The Gospel of Luke records a remarkable incident involving women who deeply loved Jesus Christ: "And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment." (Luke 23:55-56, KJV) These women loved Jesus with all their hearts. They had followed Him from place to place during His earthly ministry. When He died, they desired to anoint His body with spices and ointments as an expression of love and respect. Yet when the Sabbath approached, they stopped their preparations and rested according to God's commandment.
Think carefully about what this means. What could be more spiritually significant than ministering to the body of Jesus Christ, the Creator and Savior of the world? Yet these faithful women chose not to continue that work during the Sabbath hours. They left the body of Christ untouched and observed the Sabbath according to the commandment. This example should cause us to reflect seriously on our own choices regarding Sabbath observance.
The Sacredness of the Sabbath
The Sabbath is not merely a day of physical rest. It is holy because God Himself made it holy. When God completed creation, the Bible says: "And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it." (Genesis 2:3) Later, in the Fourth Commandment, God declared: "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." (Exodus 20:8) Notice that God created seven days but reserved one for Himself. He has graciously given humanity six days for labor, business, personal affairs, recreation, and many lawful activities. Yet He asks that one day be set apart exclusively for Him. Because the Sabbath belongs to God, we should be careful not to engage in activities that may diminish its holiness. A simple principle can help guide us: When in doubt, do not do it.
Many believers underestimate the holiness of the Sabbath. Because we have a low view of its sacredness, we are often quick to justify activities that may not truly honor God's holy day. Yet the sacredness of the Sabbath is connected to the sacredness of God Himself. God's commandment-keeping people should therefore be cautious about the activities they choose to engage in on His holy day.
Should We Attend Funerals on the Sabbath?
Funerals are important occasions. They provide comfort to grieving families and allow people to pay their respects to the deceased. Nevertheless, funerals are generally centered on human affairs rather than on worship and fellowship with God. Returning to the example of the women who followed Jesus, they postponed even the care of Christ's body because of the Sabbath. If they were willing to delay such an important responsibility, should we not also carefully consider whether attending funerals is consistent with the spirit of Sabbath observance? The prophet Isaiah gives us valuable guidance: "If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable..." (Isaiah 58:13)
The focus of the Sabbath should be on God, worship, spiritual reflection, ministry, and fellowship with believers. Therefore, my recommendation is that funerals should generally be avoided on the Sabbath whenever possible.
Should We Attend Weddings on the Sabbath?
Marriage is holy. It was established by God in Eden before sin entered the world. However, weddings often involve extensive social activities, celebrations, photography, travel, feasting, entertainment, and other matters that may distract from the sacred purpose of the Sabbath. Although marriage itself is holy, the celebration surrounding a wedding is not necessarily an act of worship. When Nehemiah sought to restore proper Sabbath observance among God's people, he opposed activities that distracted from the sanctity of the day (Nehemiah 13:15-22).
Therefore, while marriage is honorable, it may be wise to avoid attending weddings on the Sabbath when possible, choosing instead to dedicate the day fully to God.
Should We Attend Graduations on the Sabbath?
Graduations celebrate educational achievement. There is nothing inherently sinful about graduation ceremonies. They are often meaningful occasions for students and families. However, graduation ceremonies are secular in nature. Their purpose is to recognize academic accomplishments rather than to honor God specifically. Since God has provided six days for our personal affairs and achievements, it may be best to reserve the Sabbath exclusively for spiritual purposes.
If attendance at a graduation would interfere with worship, fellowship, ministry, or the sacred atmosphere of the Sabbath, then wisdom would suggest abstaining from it.
Should Husband and Wife Engage in Marital Relations on the Sabbath?
This question is often uncomfortable for some people because of cultural sensitivities. However, it deserves a biblical and respectful answer. To be clear, we are speaking only about marital relations between a husband and wife, which is the only biblical context in which sexual intimacy is approved. Marriage is holy. The Bible says: "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled." (Hebrews 13:4) Nevertheless, holy marriage includes activities that are not acts of worship. Physical intimacy is a normal and God-given part of marriage, but it is not, in itself, a spiritual exercise. No husband and wife begins marital intimacy with a Bible study, conducts it as a worship service, and concludes it with a hymn. It is a legitimate marital activity, but it remains a physical and earthly activity.
For this reason, my recommendation is that husbands and wives should consider reserving the Sabbath entirely for spiritual pursuits and fellowship with God. God has graciously given six days for activities that belong to ordinary married life. Why not dedicate the seventh day completely to Him? Jesus faithfully kept the Sabbath and regularly attended worship services on that day. "And, as his custom was, hr went into the synagogue on the sabbath day." (Luke 4:16) Although Jesus performed acts of mercy and necessity on the Sabbath, He never treated it as a common day.
As you seek to keep the Sabbath holy, ask yourself honestly and prayerfully Is this activity suitable for God's holy day? The issue is not merely whether an activity is sinful. The question is whether it contributes to the holiness, sacredness, and spiritual purpose of the Sabbath. The women who loved Jesus chose to postpone even the anointing of His body in order to keep the Sabbath according to the commandment. Their example teaches us that even good activities may sometimes be set aside out of reverence for God's holy day.
Therefore, my recommendation is:
- Avoid attending funerals on the Sabbath whenever possible.
- Avoid attending weddings on the Sabbath whenever possible.
- Avoid attending graduations on the Sabbath whenever possible.
- Consider reserving marital relations for the other six days God has provided.
By refraining from these activities, you do not risk dishonoring God. By engaging in them, you may unintentionally diminish the sacredness of His holy day. May each of us allow the Holy Spirit to guide our consciences as we seek to honor the Lord. The church today needs a deeper appreciation of the holiness of the Sabbath and a sincere spirit of Sabbath reform. May the good Lord bless you as you do all you can, with the aid of His Spirit, to keep His holy Sabbath day holy.
Amen.
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