The purpose of the sabbath had been lived out in that simple act, which probably took all of about two minutes or less. Somebody else forgot the purpose. The other six days are for work, this legalist said. Healing is work, therefore, it is forbidden. Today is a day of rest.
Today is separate from the rest of the week.
There is a boundary between the seventh day and the other six days, a boundary which must not be crossed, he said. The purpose of God's Sabbath had been forgotten. The day of rest is a day intimately connected with the rest of the week. It is a day for rest, and for healing, for strength to face another week with dignity and hope. Jesus made no bones about this as he responded to the hypocrisy of those who would rob the day of rest of its power to restore.