God rested on the seventh day

Genesis says that God created the earth in six days and rested on the seventh day (Gen 2:1-3). Therefore, the Ten Commandments say that people are to keep the Sabbath day of each week holy by refraining from work and allowing all members of their households to rest (Exod 20:8-11).

Jesus disputed with Jewish leaders of his time concerning the significance of the Sabbath day. Jesus healed and allowed his disciples to pluck grain on the Sabbath, even though many thought that these activities broke the command to rest. When Jewish leaders challenged him, Jesus replied that the Sabbath was designed for the good of human beings and that he himself was Lord of the Sabbath. Therefore, activities that promoted human wellbeing were acceptable on the Sabbath (Matt 12:1-14). Paul taught that what was important was not the particular day that people observed, but that God was honored (Rom 14:5-6).