A DAY TO HONOR THE PRESIDENT
Florida does not usually recognize Presidents’ Day as a state holiday. However, this year—in honor of the wider celebration of America’s 250th birthday—Governor Ron DeSantis said last month that Florida would celebrate it at the state level, as well. “Our state offices will be closed” this year, he said at an appearance at Vero Beach. “Our state employees will be able to have the day off, which I know they’re not going to complain about.” Presidents’ Day honors the birthdays and legacies of U.S. presidents, primarily George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. It was originally established in 1885 to commemorate Washington’s birthday, which is February 22.

A DAY TO HONOR THE LORD
Today’s reading comes from Exodus, Romans, and Revelation. In Exodus 20:8–11, we see that the Ten Commandments have a special command at the center: Sabbath. In memory of God’s creation and authority, the people are to cease from all work on the Sabbath. The work stoppage is for all people, a universal gift. In Romans 14:4–6, Paul wants the particulars of certain issues—honoring special days and eating meat—to be matters of individual discernment for the Christian, so that people prioritize keeping the heart of the law over the letters. For John we see from Revelation 1:10 that he receives his vision on “the Lord’s Day.” Some scholars believe this refers to a day of the week (Sunday for the early church), while others believe this may refer to a day when God’s judgment is enacted or His purposes are fulfilled.

Questions

• Who is or was your favorite US president, and why?
• Why do most Christians worship on Sunday instead of Saturday (the Jewish sabbath)?
• Do you observe the Lord’s day in ways that set it apart from other days of the week? What are some of those ways?