How and why Sunday’s set priorities can result in a productive week? Or, can be ignored Sundays’ priorities unproductive on weekly outcomes? Why is the first day of the week an important one for rest of the week? What is the meaning of Sunday, and why is it a special day or holiday for many in the world?
As we know that Sunday is a day of rest in most countries in the world even though it is the first day of the workweek. Most of us are privileged to have Sunday as a special day at the beginning of a new week, but how we manage it will show the consistent end result on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis from generation to generation, respectively.
Why is to so? Is there a direct correlation between Sunday’s set priorities and productive week outcome? Can we set priorities for the week on the day of rest? If so, which one takes the precedence? Are there blessings associated with our Sunday’s listed activities in an order of preference? If so, which activity gets the top priority?
My close observations of people’s first concern on each Sunday morning activities and to a certain extent own experience indicated a direct correlation between weekly’s end results. I noticed an ignored Sunday’s one critical task can get us into a complete mess during the week. In order to understand this concept, I did a short research on this topic. In fact, I found very meaningful results.
According to Wikipedia, during the 1st century Roman names of the planets were given to each day of the week, and “day of the sun,” also known as “dies Solis (Latin),” became Sunday. However, my curiosity led me to ask more questions as to its origin prior to Roman or Ancient Egypt names, going back all the way to Mesopotamian civilization. In order to find the right answers, I had to review few pieces of literature, and documents on this topic.
As we know that in modern days finding the pre-historic information – the period of man’s history before written documents appeared, is only through archaeological studies. As a result, “Holy Bible” is the only book that provided an authentic record on pre-historic information; therefore, I’m able to get the right answers to the aforementioned questions, which makes a lot of sense.
As per the Holy Bible, the reason for the top priority on Sunday is as follows:
- “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy (Ex. 20:11 NIV);”
- “You must observe my Sabbath. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy (Ex. 31:13 NIV);” and
- “The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant (Ex. 31:16 NIV).”
In fact, there are a number of Old Testament verses that can be referred to this topic as to why Sabbath is the day of rest, and holy one. However, according to New Testament, on Sabbath day Jesus Christ’s body rested in the tomb, prior to His resurrection on the first day of the week (Mt.28:1 & Jn. 19:31). As per New Testament, on the first day of the week (i.e., Sunday) the following significant events are to be considered as special ones for the believers:
- The Apostles Commissioned: On the first day of the week, when disciples were assembled in a room, Jesus Christ appeared to them and said “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them, if you retain the sins of any, they are retained (John 20: 19-23 NKJV);”
- Disciples’ fellowship: According to Acts 20:7-8 (NKJV), on the first day of the week (i.e., Sunday), disciples came together to break bread in a fellowship;
- Jesus Christ is Lord of the Sabbath: “Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. But if had known what this means, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath (Mt. 12:6-8 NKJV);”
- Disciple John states in Revelation 1:10 “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last (NKJV).”
It is clear as to how the first day of the week, Lord’s Day, Sunday rather Sabbath (i.e., Saturday) became an important one for the believers. According to New Testament, disciples met on the first day of the week, and received the “Holy Spirit.” As per Apostle John, it is the Lord’s Day. Jesus Christ said he is the Lord of the Sabbath. He also said that “the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath (Mk. 2:27 NKJV).” I think this answers number of questions as to “what is the origin of Sunday?” “Is the Sabbath day on Saturday or Sunday?” and many similar questions.
In addition, according to historical records, even during the 4th century (321) the Roman emperor Constantine I, a converted Christian realized the importance of Lord’s Day and introduced the first civil legislation concerning Sunday for worship. This indicates as to how Sunday not only became the day for worship but also a holiday for rest, which officially started by the Roman emperor since the 4th century.
Based on the Scripture, empirical evidence, and my own experiences, when a person sets the first day of the week, Sunday morning (Lord’s Day) for worship as the top priority followed by family and work, tend to have a productive week, no matter what the circumstances he or she faces. Setting the priorities straight makes a huge difference in one’s life. Therefore, in my opinion, the priorities should be in the following order for one to get constant productive results on a weekly basis:
- Sunday (Lord’s Day) praise and worship;
- Family and personal responsibilities; and
- Prayerful workweek plans.
It is clear that disciples received the “Holy Spirit” on the first day of the week; therefore, we the believers can expect the One to provide us guidance and protection on a daily basis during the week, provided we honor the Lord’s Day (i.e., Sunday, the first day of the week).
We’re blessed to receive this “Good News;” therefore, I admire God’s servant who first provided this messages to us. Please share your comments and suggestions. Appreciated.
