Neusner's views of The Sabbath

The article on Neusner's book stated that Jesus worked on the Sabbath, and that He advocates work on the Sabbath. This is not quite correct. First, I have no recollection of Him actually working on the Sabbath, only Him challenging those who, again, had evil hearts and thoughts with only adherence to the law externally. He healed someone on the Sabbath which today we would see as to totally appropriate for clergy. But His main point was that the Sabbath was for rest. He said, "the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." One thing He emphasizes, again concerned with what is within a soul not what is external, is that there is a rest for the soul found in Him which is a permanent soul condition that one must find. Sabbath rest is within us who have the "peace that surpasses understanding." 

I personally have loved the laying aside of a day for rest as I experienced in the 1960s in our small town where everything was shut down and closed on Sundays. But this is now not a requirement. He was challenging that it is, but He was a religious Jew who kept the religious traditions Himself. But as He told those pharisees whom He could see were dead on the inside, "white-washed tombs," and sons of the devil,  what exists within is the primary thing, not what you do or show externally.  You can "keep Sabbaths" and be a dead soul. 

Note, religious Jews who keep strict Sabbaths I don't criticize. Some I'm sure do this to express love for God and respect. And they are bravely showing the world they are Jews!!