Season 1, Episode 2 – Shabbat

Growing up in the [Baptist] church, I was raised to believe that “keeping the Sabbath” simply meant going to church on Sunday—that was it. I heard and even read verses about “rest,” but they didn’t really register because, to me, it was all about fulfilling the obligation of church attendance.

For a night owl like me, getting up early for Sunday School and the main service felt like anything but rest. However, when I finally read the Bible cover to cover, I realized there was so much more to the Sabbath—or Shabbat, as I came to understand it. I also saw how the law surrounding it was often misused and manipulated.

Episode 2 gives us a deeper look into the daily rhythms of life in 1st-century Capernaum, with much of the focus on Shabbat—its traditions, laws, and how different people observed it.

For the Jewish people, Shabbat begins at sundown on Friday and ends Saturday night. This episode beautifully illustrates its significance by showing the preparations and celebrations from multiple perspectives and what it parallels for me when I try to compare it to life as I either live it or see it around me:

• A high-ranking Pharisee hosting an elite gathering, complete with fine silver and an air of status . . . which reminds me of the mega churches
• A struggling family trying to keep the tradition despite financial worries . . . gotta say it – reminds me of St. Timothy's!
• A man who is an outcast, unwelcome anywhere for the weekly meal . . . that person who walks into a church and is told they don’t belong (which makes me shudder)
• Mary Magdalene, now redeemed, bravely hosting her first Shabbat—with Jesus Himself as a guest . . . and this also reminds me of those many times when, at St. Timothy’s, I’ve felt the room thick with the presence of the Holy Spirit

Back to Episode 2. Tensions in this episode simmer beyond the framework of Shabbat:

• The Romans, concerned they’re losing tax revenue from Jews sneaking out to fish on Shabbat, tighten their grip.
• A desperate man, drowning in financial trouble, considers betraying his fellow Jews to save himself.

These conflicts subtly set the stage for bigger themes in the series—power, oppression, and the desperate search for hope in a world that often feels like it’s not what it’s supposed to be.

One fun side note: This episode introduces what can only be described as the Jewish version of a beauty shop. While I’m almost certain this is a dramatic invention for the show, I wouldn’t be completely shocked if it had some historical basis. (Okay, maybe I’d be a little surprised!)

I didn’t find Episode 2 to have the dramatic climax of other episodes, but it serves an important purpose by providing a deeper understanding of not only the characters but also the culture and customs of 1st-century Judea.

Now, for a question—especially for the great hostesses of St. Timothy’s:  What would you do if Jesus knocked on your door and asked to stay for Sabbath dinner?  I started to glibly write that I’d have to hope Jesus liked the restaurant that we took Him to before I realized that Jesus would probably look at me sadly since I obviously hadn’t given a thought to the people that are working on the Sabbath to prepare a meal for us so I don’t have to!  This does bring up that the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat) does begin at Sunday after that meal is made and goes for 24 hours.  For us to keep our Sunday Sabbath in the spirit of the law as they practiced it, we would have to cook our meals the day before plus the meals for that day.  OUCH!