9.32 The Old is just a shadow; the substance is of Christ
Under the Old Covenant of law, there is a physical tabernacle; they have the priesthood who offers the sacrifices at the tabernacle. Israel also had to observe their festivals.
Today, in Christianity, some sectors still focus a lot on these elements of the Old Covenant. They still major on rituals, and things external. But the Bible tells us that these rituals are not an end in itself. There is no value in all these rituals in itself.
The book of Hebrews tells us that all these ritual under the Old Covenant serve only as a shadow of the true heavenly things. There is no value in the rituals apart from pointing us to the real thing. For example, a photo of your child is of value because it reminds you of your child. It would be crazy to be content with the photo alone. When you see your child, you kiss the photo instead of your child. It wouldn’t make sense. But when we focus on rituals apart from the real truth, it is like that.
(Hebrews 10:11-14)
For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve the COPY AND SHADOW OF THE HEAVENLY THINGS, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
Because the shadow pointed to the true heavenly sanctuary, Moses was instructed to make all things according to the pattern shown. It had to reflect the real thing. The value is in the real thing, not the shadow.
In fact, the real substance of all the rituals under law is – the person of Jesus Christ.
(Col 2:16-17)
So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a SHADOW of things to come, but the SUBSTANCE IS OF CHRIST.
When people argue over rituals without considering the revelation of Christ, it wouldn’t make sense. It’s like arguing over the photo as if the photo is the end in itself, when the real person is standing just right in front of you.
Today, we can see and enjoy the real substance of all things. We don’t have to major on the minor. We can major on the major. We don’t have to dwell on the shadow; we can live in the substance.
Today, in Christianity, some sectors still focus a lot on these elements of the Old Covenant. They still major on rituals, and things external. But the Bible tells us that these rituals are not an end in itself. There is no value in all these rituals in itself.
The book of Hebrews tells us that all these ritual under the Old Covenant serve only as a shadow of the true heavenly things. There is no value in the rituals apart from pointing us to the real thing. For example, a photo of your child is of value because it reminds you of your child. It would be crazy to be content with the photo alone. When you see your child, you kiss the photo instead of your child. It wouldn’t make sense. But when we focus on rituals apart from the real truth, it is like that.
(Hebrews 10:11-14)
For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve the COPY AND SHADOW OF THE HEAVENLY THINGS, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
Because the shadow pointed to the true heavenly sanctuary, Moses was instructed to make all things according to the pattern shown. It had to reflect the real thing. The value is in the real thing, not the shadow.
In fact, the real substance of all the rituals under law is – the person of Jesus Christ.
(Col 2:16-17)
So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a SHADOW of things to come, but the SUBSTANCE IS OF CHRIST.
When people argue over rituals without considering the revelation of Christ, it wouldn’t make sense. It’s like arguing over the photo as if the photo is the end in itself, when the real person is standing just right in front of you.
Today, we can see and enjoy the real substance of all things. We don’t have to major on the minor. We can major on the major. We don’t have to dwell on the shadow; we can live in the substance.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 12:47 AM
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