Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17)
One summer day, I was playing outside with my kids, when a big shadow swooped across our yard. What did we instinctively do? Look up! What did we see? A bald eagle! That shadow was extremely helpful. Without it, we would have missed the bald eagle flying above us. But once we saw the eagle, do you know what we never thought of again? The shadow. It had served its purpose. It drew our attention to what was important. But once we saw the real thing, the shadow had no purpose anymore.
That’s how the Bible describes the ceremonies of Old Testament: A shadow. Rest on Saturdays was great. But Sabbath rest wasn’t meant to last forever. It was a shadow that pointed ahead to the true rest found in Christ (Hebrews 4). The Day of Atonement was powerful. But it was a shadow that pointed ahead to Good Friday, when Jesus made atonement for us through his death on the cross. The Passover was a powerful reminder of God’s salvation. But it was a shadow that pointed ahead to the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Those shadows were good, until the reality came.
Since we have Christ, we don’t need to keep living in the shadows. We don’t need to stop working on Saturdays. We have true rest in Jesus! We don’t need to keep sacrificing lambs. We have true forgiveness through the blood of Jesus! Shadows are good. But the reality is so much better!
So don’t let anyone drag you back into the shadows. Still today, it’s easy to insist that traditions and ceremonies are necessary for salvation. “If you’re a real Christian you’ll… worship this way… wear these clothes… eat this food… celebrate these festivals…” Wait… What did Paul write? “Do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival… These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”
Shadows are good, but the reality—Jesus—is so much better!
Dear Jesus, thank you for all the different ways that you make me think of you. As good as those shadows are, help me to rejoice even more in you—the reality! Focus my heart on you. Amen.
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