During my Covenants series a question was raised about Matthew 5:18 where Jesus states, ""For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished." (NASB).
I may write an in depth line by line analysis of Matthew 5:17-48 at some point in the future as time allows. However, as I was thinking about this I recalled a good piece that a friend of mine wrote a few years ago. Colleen had a lot of questions about this passage and a few other related ones. Her piece describes how she processed through them over time and the new insight and understanding that the Holy Spirit gave to her. I hope you'll check out Colleen's thoughts at the link below:
http://lifeassuranceministries.org/Proclamation2003_JulAug.pdf
Monday, September 6, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Questions on Isaiah 65 – 66
While posting the Covenants study, a question was raised regarding the prophecy found in Isaiah chapters 65 through 66. Specifically, my friend felt that 66:23 indicates that the seventh-day Sabbath will be observed in eternity and therefore it should be observed today by Christians. I had considered providing a full line by line exegesis for the entire prophecy, but this is one long oracle to Israel that begins at 65:1 and ends at 66:24 covering 49 verses. That’s a little more blogging than I am up for today, so I thought instead I would just pose some questions for those who think this is a seventh-day Sabbath proof text.
I have a feeling that most sabbatarians would interpret this passage in a similar fashion to how I interpret it, right up until 66:23, then I think the interpretive approach suddenly switches for one verse in order to preserve this as a seventh-day Sabbath proof text. So I would really encourage those who use this passage as a Sabbath proof text, to post you’re your answers to these questions here on the blog so we can talk about it further. It would certainly help me better understand how you approach this prophecy as a whole.
1. The oracle in chapter 65-66 is God’s response to a prayer for mercy and help in chapter 64. Who are the rebellious people who are praying and God is responding to? To put it another way, who were the original audience for this prophecy?
2. Why is there a focus on Jerusalem and surrounding environs? (65:10, 11, 18; 66:10, 20)
3. Why will there still be infants born? (65:20)
4. Why will people still die at 100 years old or so? (65:20)
5. Why will people dying younger than 100 be thought of by others as accursed? (65:20)
6. Why will the survivors of Gods’ wrath (66:15-16) then be sent to declare God’s glory to Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Tubal, and Javan? (66:18)
7. Why does there appear to be a reference to gentile “nations” (66:18, 20)
8. Why do people come to Jerusalem on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels? (66:20)
9. Why are grain offerings and ceremonially purified vessels used as similes? (66:20)
10. Why are some people taken as priests? (66:21)
11. Why does there appear to be a distinction made between the Levite clan who were priests and the other Levite clans who historically simply served at the temple? (66:21)
12. Why are new moon Sabbaths referenced? (66:23)
13. If this is a proof text supporting seventh-day Sabbath keeping for New Covenant Christians, is it also a proof text for Christians keeping new moon Sabbaths?
14. If your answer to question 13 is “no”, then why not? If it is “yes”, are you currently keeping new moon Sabbaths?
15. In describing the corpses of transgressors, why does God say that their worm will not die and their fire will not be quenched?
16. Do you believe you have maintained a consistent contextual interpretive approach throughout the entire chapter? Do all your answers hang together in a way that deals consistently with the language and context of this chapter? If not, why not?
17. After answering the questions above, do you still believe this is an especially strong proof text from which to teach Christians to keep the seventh-day Sabbath?
I hope that some who either currently use this as a sabbatarian proof text, or have in the past, will take the time to post their answers here so we can discuss further. Thanks.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
The Covenants: Part XIV - The Law of Christ
The Law of Christ
I have spent a great deal of time thinking and praying about the topic discussed in the last part of our study. In the past, I have been unsure as to the best way to approach the discussion of the Law of Christ. I believe that the Holy Spirit, working through God’s Word, has blessed me with a personal “ah-ha” moment in regards to this topic. As I was thinking and praying over this, a particular Biblical passage came to mind as well as a mental picture of a diagram to help illustrate the point.
We all agree that there is a “law” written on the hearts of New Covenant Christians. However, there seems to be abundant confusion as to what “law” is actually written on our heart. In discussions we tend to frequently use the word “law” without defining exactly what “law” we are talking about. It would be most helpful to our discussions to observe the way the word “law” is used in scripture and how it is applied to different groups. The word “law” is actually used in many different ways in scripture.
As I have been considering the various ways the word “law” is used, a passage found in I Corinthians has come to mind repeatedly. Paul is describing how he in some cases restrains and in other cases exercises his Christian liberty. He does all this to win others to the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NASB)
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.
20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;
21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.
20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;
21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
To briefly summarize Paul’s points:
· When Paul was with Jews who were under the Mosaic Law, he acted as if he were under the Mosaic Law (v.20).
· Paul, as a New Covenant Christian, was not under the Mosaic Law (v.20).
· When Paul was with Gentiles, who were never under the Mosaic Law, he did not observe the Mosaic Law either (v.21).
· New Covenant Christians are not without “the Law of God” (v.21).
· New Covenant Christians are under “the Law of Christ” (v.21).
So we see Paul using the word “law” in three different ways:
I. The Mosaic Law
a. Ethnic Jews were under this law.
b. It was only in place from Sinai to the cross (Gal. 3:15 -25).
c. People who lived before Sinai were not under this law (Rom. 5:12 -14).
d. Gentiles were never under this law (1 Cor. 9:21 , Rom. 4:12 -15).
e. New Covenant Christians are not under this law (1 Cor. 9:20 , Rom. 6:14 , Gal. 5:18 ).
II. The Law of God
a. There is an eternal transcendent law that is defined by God’s very being. It is who and what He is. All that is consistent with God’s nature is lawful. All that is against God’s nature is sin.
b. All creatures at all times have been and always will be subject to this ultimate law because they are creatures and God is the Creator.
c. All those who fall short of this eternal law are condemned (see the first 5 chapters of Romans, especially chapters 1-3 for biblical support for points II.a.-c.).
III. The Law of Christ
a. This law is variously referred to in the New Testament as “The Law of Christ” (1 Cor. 9:21 , Gal. 6:2),
b. “The Law of the Spirit” (Rom. 8:2),
c. “The Law of Liberty 1:25 , 2:12 ),
d. “The Perfect Law” (James 1:25 ), and
e. “The Royal Law” (James 2:8).
f. This is the law that New Covenant Christians live under.
We can represent this information using a simple diagram:
At the very top is a line representing “The Law of God”. The arrows point to infinity in both directions to illustrate that “The Law of God” is eternal and transcendent. This law transcends time and creation because it is defined by the eternal being of God. All creatures at all times have always been under this eternal law and always will be.
The very bottom line represents the progression of world history, from creation to the end of time as we know it. We see that from the time of Adam to Moses (Sinai) the Mosaic Law was not yet in effect. None the less sinners were still condemned by God’s eternal transcendent law (Rom. 5:12-14).
From Sinai to the cross the Law of Moses was in effect, but post cross it is no longer in effect (Gal. 3:15-25, Heb. 8:13). The Mosaic Law was holy just and good in that it was a shadow of God’s eternal transcendent Law. The Mosaic Law pointed to God’s ultimate law, but it was not in and of itself the ultimate law, merely a representation of it.
New Covenant Christians who live post cross do not live under the Mosaic Law. Christian believers live under a better covenant with a better mediator, better promises, and a better law. Moses was a mediator between God and Israel, but Christ is the ultimate mediator between God and man. Moses was used to reveal aspects of God, but Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of God to man. Moses was given a law that came with glory, but Jesus Christ is the ultimate law giver. The Law of Christ comes with glory that far surpasses the Mosaic Law. Just as Jesus is the greatest revelation of God, so the Law of Christ is the greatest revelation of God’s eternal transcendent law.
While New Covenant Christians are not under the Decalogue, they are under the commandments of The Law of Christ. We are told in scripture that those who have faith in Christ will keep His commandments:
The very bottom line represents the progression of world history, from creation to the end of time as we know it. We see that from the time of Adam to Moses (Sinai) the Mosaic Law was not yet in effect. None the less sinners were still condemned by God’s eternal transcendent law (Rom. 5:12-14).
From Sinai to the cross the Law of Moses was in effect, but post cross it is no longer in effect (Gal. 3:15-25, Heb. 8:13). The Mosaic Law was holy just and good in that it was a shadow of God’s eternal transcendent Law. The Mosaic Law pointed to God’s ultimate law, but it was not in and of itself the ultimate law, merely a representation of it.
New Covenant Christians who live post cross do not live under the Mosaic Law. Christian believers live under a better covenant with a better mediator, better promises, and a better law. Moses was a mediator between God and Israel, but Christ is the ultimate mediator between God and man. Moses was used to reveal aspects of God, but Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of God to man. Moses was given a law that came with glory, but Jesus Christ is the ultimate law giver. The Law of Christ comes with glory that far surpasses the Mosaic Law. Just as Jesus is the greatest revelation of God, so the Law of Christ is the greatest revelation of God’s eternal transcendent law.
While New Covenant Christians are not under the Decalogue, they are under the commandments of The Law of Christ. We are told in scripture that those who have faith in Christ will keep His commandments:
Revelation 14:12 (NASB)
12 Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments (entole) of God and their faith in Jesus.
Although John does not define these commandments (entole) in Revelation, he does so in his other books.
1 John 3:23 (NASB)
23 This is His commandment (entole), that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
But how are the Law of Christ and the lofty commandments that accompany it written upon the hearts of New Covenant believers? The only way this could happen is if God Himself were to indwell us, then and only then could the eternal transcendent Law of God be within us. It is an awe inspiring truth to realize that this is exactly what God has done through the person of the Holy Spirit. Not only are we sealed eternally for salvation by the Spirit, but we are given new birth, a regenerate spirit that can commune with God’s Spirit. By this sovereign gracious act of God we are given the very mind of Christ through the indwelling presence of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NASB)
14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.
16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.
23 This is His commandment (entole), that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
John 13:34 (NASB)
34 "A new commandment (entole) I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
34 "A new commandment (entole) I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
We also see several other places in scripture were the commandments contained in the Law of Christ are given. We also see that these commandments are the ultimate fulfillment of the law. Not only do they fulfill the Mosaic Law, but they transcend the Mosaic Law fulfilling the Law of Christ as well. These commandments are the greatest revelation of the eternal transcendent law of God.
Matthew 7:12 (NASB)
12 "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
12 "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Matthew 22:37-39 (NASB)
37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
38 "This is the great and foremost commandment.
39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
38 "This is the great and foremost commandment.
39 "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
Romans 13:8-10 (NASB)
8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
9 For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
9 For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Galatians 5:14 (NASB)
14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
Galatians 6:2 (NASB)
2 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
2 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
But how are the Law of Christ and the lofty commandments that accompany it written upon the hearts of New Covenant believers? The only way this could happen is if God Himself were to indwell us, then and only then could the eternal transcendent Law of God be within us. It is an awe inspiring truth to realize that this is exactly what God has done through the person of the Holy Spirit. Not only are we sealed eternally for salvation by the Spirit, but we are given new birth, a regenerate spirit that can commune with God’s Spirit. By this sovereign gracious act of God we are given the very mind of Christ through the indwelling presence of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NASB)
14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.
16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.
Through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit it can truly be said that the Law of Christ is written upon our hearts. No one needs to tell us to know the Lord because we know Him in the most intimate of ways. We begin to see sin as He sees it. We begin to be transformed into the very likeness of Christ. Though the presence of the Sprit in the hearts of New Covenant believers, the prophecy has been fulfilled:
Hebrews 8:7-13 (NASB)
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.
8 For finding fault with them, He says, "BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;
9 NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS ON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD.
10 "FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OFISRAEL
11 "AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, 'KNOW THE LORD,' FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM.
12 "FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE."
13 When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.
8 For finding fault with them, He says, "BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;
9 NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS ON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD.
10 "FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF
11 "AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, 'KNOW THE LORD,' FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM.
12 "FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE."
13 When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.
Truly we have been given a New Covenant that is better in every way. It has a better Mediator, better promises, better signs, and a better law. The Old Covenant with its old law is obsolete. We are so blessed to live on this side of the cross. Let us never turn back to the shadows now that we have the substance, Jesus Christ.
This concludes our study of the covenants. I hope that it has been helpful and that you will spend time prayerfully studying through the passages and books we have touched upon. May the Lord Jesus grant you wisdom and understanding. May the Holy Spirit protect you from falsehood, and illuminate Truth. May the Father bless you and keep you in the joy of the Lord as you study and apply these things. Thank you for reading.
In loving friendship,
Chris
Friday, September 3, 2010
The Covenants: Part XIII - The Seal of God
The Seal of God
In Part XII we studied through Hebrews 3 and 4 and learned that we enter God’s true rest (sabbatimos) through faith in Jesus Christ. We enter that rest, not on a certain day of the week, but today and everyday. Jesus is our sabbatimos rest. Jesus is the reality that the Sabbath day (sabbaton) could only point to.
So if Jesus Himself is our Sabbath rest, what about the teaching many of us grew up with that the Old Covenant Sabbath day is the Seal of God? We’ve all heard the following passage in Revelation:
Revelation 9:3-4 (NASB)
3 Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
4 They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
3 Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
4 They were told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but only the men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
Doesn’t Revelation teach that the seal of God is the Sabbath day? Actually there’s no hint of any such thing in this passage or anywhere in Revelation. We’re simply not told what the Seal of God is in Revelation. Fortunately, we don’t have to guess who the seal of God upon New Covenant Christians is. New Covenant Christians had already been given this information, more than once, in earlier inspired letters. Read the following Bible passage and determine who God’s seal upon us is:
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NASB)
21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,
22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,
22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
God has given us the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit as a pledge of salvation and eternal life. It is not a day of the week that seals us, but the person of the Holy Spirit. It is not a ceremonial shadow that seals us, but God the Spirit. Now let’s turn to the book of Ephesians.
Ephesians 1:13-14 (NASB)
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
Again, we see that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. Only God Himself can guarantee the promise of salvation through faith. A day has no power to do this. Let’s look further in the same book.
Ephesians 4:30 (NASB)
30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
So we can now see that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and by the Holy Spirit guaranteeing our redemption. A day of the week does not guarantee our salvation, only the Seal of God in our hearts can do that. We also have just a hint of what the “mark of the beast” might possibly be. It’s not a day of the week, but involves a rejection of the Holy Spirit.
Now I have heard some object, despite what the Bible says, that the Holy Spirit cannot be God’s seal upon us because man-made seals were inanimate objects. But this argument doesn’t hold up because God’s seal upon us is not a man-made seal. Our sovereign God can seal us in anyway he chooses. How wonderfully mind-blowing it is to realize that He has chosen to seal us with Himself. When our spirits are made alive in Christ, God the Spirit tabernacles in us. God’s very presence dwells within us guaranteeing the promise of eternal life with Him. He is the seal! This is the testimony of scripture.
What better seal could we ever hope for or ask for? Truly, we who live in the New Covenant age are blessed beyond all measure. But the promise of eternal life does not exhaust the treasure of blessings we are given through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Through the life changing presence of the Spirit we are also conformed to Christ. We pass out from under the Mosaic Law and, through the power and presence of the Spirit, are now conformed to a better law: the Law of Christ.
We will explore the Law of Christ in Part XIV.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
The Covenants: Part XII - Hebrews 3 & 4
Hebrews 3:1 – 4:16
In Part XI we saw that the written code and its regulations were taken out of the way and nailed to the cross. We saw that those things which were nailed to the cross included dietary laws, annual festival Sabbaths, monthly new moon Sabbaths, and the weekly Sabbath day (sabbaton). We saw that both animal sacrifices and the Sabbath were mere shadows, but the reality is found in Jesus Christ.
In Part XII I would like to continue to explore the biblical concept of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the Sabbath shadow. We will examine two key chapters in Hebrews that present Jesus as our true Sabbath rest.
The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were being persecuted by their fellow Jews because of their belief in Jesus as the Messiah. These Hebrew Believers were sorely tempted to turn back to their Jewish roots and practices. The author of Hebrews writes to warn them against turning back and to remind them of how much better Jesus is than all the Old Covenant shadows. The writer methodically goes through nearly all the major shadows in the Old Covenant and explains how Jesus fulfills them and surpasses them. In chapters 3 and 4 the writer tackles the Sabbath shadow and shows how Christ fulfilled it.
Hebrews 3:1-6 (NASB)
1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;
2 He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house.
3 For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house.
4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.
5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later;
6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.
1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;
2 He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house.
3 For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house.
4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.
5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later;
6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.
Let’s not miss what the author of Hebrews is strongly implying here. Moses is representative of the entire Old Covenant Mosaic Law. The author is saying that Moses was just a servant, but Jesus is a Son. Jesus is better than Moses. Jesus is not on an equal plane with the Mosaic Law, but transcends the Old Covenant Mosaic Law.
Hebrews 3:7-11 (NASB)
7 Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,
8 DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS,
9 WHERE YOUR FATHERS TRIED Me BY TESTING Me, AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS.
10 "THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, 'THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS';
11 AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, 'THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.' "
7 Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,
8 DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS,
9 WHERE YOUR FATHERS TRIED Me BY TESTING Me, AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS.
10 "THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, 'THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS';
11 AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, 'THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.' "
Even after God led the Children of Israel out of Egypt
Hebrews 3:12-19 (NASB)
12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.
13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,
15 while it is said, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME."
16 For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out ofEgypt
17 And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient?
19 So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.
12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.
13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,
15 while it is said, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME."
16 For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of
17 And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient?
19 So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.
In verses 13 and 15 we again see the focus on entering God’s rest “today”. It was not failure to keep a certain day that caused the Children of Israel to fail to enter God’s rest. They were keeping the Sabbaths. It was unbelief that kept them out of God’s true rest.
Hebrews 4:1-5 (NASB)
1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.
2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: "AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS";
5 and again in this passage, "THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST."
1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.
2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: "AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS";
5 and again in this passage, "THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST."
So we see that there is still a promise of entering God’s rest, but we only enter it through faith. That’s the Good News! That’s the Gospel! The Sabbath was only a physical shadow of the spiritual rest that we would be given through faith in Christ. In Christ, the perfect spiritual rest that Adam and Eve lost when they sinned has now been restored.
God’s creative works were finished in six days and on the seventh “day” (yom: an indefinite span of time in Hebrew) he rested from His creative work. God is still in that rest today. God has never ceased His rest. Unlike the other six days, the seventh “day” (yom) of creation had no evening or morning, no end. God is still in the seventh “day” (yom).
Adam and Eve would have remained in the rest of God if they had not sinned. The children of Israel
Hebrews 4:6-7 (NASB)
6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience,
7 He again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS."
6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience,
7 He again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS."
Let’s note again that this rest is not a certain day of the week. It’s not Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. It’s TODAY! It’s right now, everyday!
Hebrews 4:8-11 (NASB)
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that.
9 So there remains a Sabbath [sabbatismos] rest for the people of God.
10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.
11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that.
9 So there remains a Sabbath [sabbatismos] rest for the people of God.
10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.
11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.
Even after the Children of Israel entered the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua they still did not enter the true rest of God. The Promised Land, like the Sabbath, was only a shadow of the rest that God wanted to restore to people. There is still a rest for us to enter, but it’s not a certain piece of land or a certain day of the week. It is the spiritual rest that was lost at Eden
In verse 9 the writer coins a new Greek word to describe this rest, “sabbatismos”. “Sabbatismos” is only used here in the New Testament and it means “a Sabbath-like rest”. Notice that the writer does not use the Greek word for the weekly Sabbath day “sabbaton”. Instead he refers to “a Sabbath-like rest”. We are not being invited to enter the weekly Sabbath day (sabbaton), but the eternal rest of God (sabbatismos). We are not being asked to rest for one day out of the week, but to rest each and every day, today. We are being called to rest eternally in Christ and in His finished work.
We’re told in verse 10 that the only way we can enter God’s true rest is to first rest from our own works. If we continue trying to enter God’s rest through our works, then we are being just as disobedient lacking in faith as the Israelites were. Like the Hebrew believers this letter was written to, we cannot turn back to the Old Covenant which was a covenant of works. We must rest, through faith, in the finished work of Jesus.
Hebrews 4:12-16 (NASB)
12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Jesus is our high priest. He is the fulfillment of all the shadows in the Old Covenant. He is better than the shadows and transcends them all. In Him we can have confidence to approach the very throne of God and enter His presence even as the Old Covenant High priest approached the Ark
So if the Sabbath was only a shadow that is now fulfilled in Christ, can it possibly be true that a day of the week is God’s seal on New Covenant Believers? Most of us were taught this concept growing up and accepted it without question. But what does scripture really say about on this topic? We’ll explore this further in Part XIII.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
If You Wish to Enter Into Life, Keep the Commandments
This is posted for a friend of mine who is concerned about my Covenant series, specifically about the idea that New Covenant Christians are not required to observe the seventh-day Sabbath. My friend quoted Matthew 19:17 when expressing his concern:
17 And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."
I'm posting here because I have quite a bit to say on this subject. With all respect and love, I believe he is missing the point of the Matthew 19:16-26 passage. The point of this passage is not to instruct post-cross Christians that they are under the Old Covenant law (Decalogue). For one thing, Jesus is talking to a pre-cross Jewish man living under the Old Covenant. This man was required to be circumcised, to offer sacrifices, to keep Passover, to keep the Feast of trumpets, to participate in various cleansings, to keep the new moon Sabbath, to keep the weekly Sabbath, and many other requirements of the Old Covenant. However, that in no way implies that New Covenant Christians are required to do these things. Jesus’ comments are not addressed directly to New Covenant Christians and there isn’t even a hint that he is trying to put New Covenant Christians under the Old Covenant Law, but there is a very important universal point that Jesus is making and it applies to all of us. Let’s take a look at Matthew 19:16-26 (NASB):
16 And someone came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?"
Here is the fatal flaw in the young man’s thinking. The young man thinks that there is something he can do to obtain, earn, or merit eternal life. Jesus is going to blow that foolish idea right of the water.
17 And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."
Jesus makes it clear that God is the only one who is truly good. Every single mere human who has ever lived has fallen short of the mark. All human righteousness is like filthy rags. It doesn’t even come close, and never will, to the absolute perfection which a Holy God requires. This is Jesus’ way of saying to the young man, “You might think you’re basically good, but you’re not when compared to God’s perfect standard. You might think you’re okay, but you’re not. You might think you can do something good that makes you worthy of eternal life, but you can’t.”
Now to drive the point home Jesus tells him that if he really wants to do something good to earn eternal life, then all he needs to do is just simply keep the commandments. But notice that in the following verses Jesus doesn’t just draw from the Decalogue, He also quotes from the rest of the law in Leviticus. You see here’s the deal, if this young man wants to merit eternal life he would have to keep ALL the commandments in ALL the law PERFECTLY……..all 613…..and not just the letter, but the intent as well. He can’t just keep some of them some of the time. He would have to meet God’s perfect standard in all things from birth to the grave keeping every single command to perfection without one single slip at any point in life. Jesus is the only man who has ever done this or ever will because He is the God-man, Jehovah in the flesh, Immanuel, God with us. This brings us back around to Jesus’ point, only God is good. If this young man wants to obtain eternal life through commandment keeping then it’s hopeless. That’s what Jesus wants him to see. Unfortunately, the young man still doesn’t get it.
18 Then he said* to Him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery ; You shall not steal ; You shall not bear false witness ; 19 Honor your father and mother ; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself ."
Jesus answers by quoting from Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, the Old Covenant Law this Jewish man lived under. He wants this young man to understand the very purpose of the Law which is to point out our sinfulness and our need for a substitutionary savior. But the misguided young man is still stuck on this erroneous idea that he can do something to be saved and yet he somehow seems to know deep down that he is lacking something or he wouldn’t ask the question.
20 The young man said* to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?"
Of course it’s preposterous for any mere human to claim they have perfectly kept all those commands all their life. No one but God in the flesh has ever done that. Certainly this young man hadn’t. So Jesus comes to the point in the conversation where he will lower the boom on this young man and make it painfully clear that the young man isn’t righteous enough to merit eternal life. Jesus doesn’t do this to be cruel to the young man, but because He loves him and wants him to understand that he can’t get to heaven through his own efforts.
21 Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
You see, Jesus wants the young man to understand that he hasn’t truly fulfilled the commandments and if he wants to get to heaven that way, he will always be less than complete. There will always be something more to be done. This is the problem with legalists who are busy earning their way to Heaven, they never know when it’s enough……mainly because it will never be enough. Salvation is in a person, Jesus Christ. We only obtain it by resting in Christ’s finished work. Jesus invites the man to follow Him and lay aside all the other things that he has put his faith in.
22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
Unfortunately, instead of getting Jesus’ message and trusting in Jesus, the man goes away sorrowful for he has put his faith in possessions, status, his own righteousness, and works.
23 And Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
This would have been shocking to the disciples. First century Jews thought that wealth was a sign of God’s favor. They would have probably thought that if anyone was going to Heaven it would be this rich young man, but Jesus blows that kind of thinking away.
24 "Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God
Jesus wanted the disciples to under that trying to get into heaven by putting your faith in anything you have, be it material wealth, your own goodness, your works, or any other misplaced faith, is as impossible as a camel going through the eye of a needle. It’s not going to happen. It’s impossible. The changes of this rich young man going to heaven based on commandment keeping, his wealth, or anything else were zero.
25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, "Then who can be saved?" 26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
The disciples seem to understand that if it’s impossible for this young man, who is blessed with riches and has all the appearances of being a religious person, to earn eternal life then no one can do it. And that’s just what Jesus wanted them to understand. Jesus is saying that eternal life is absolutely impossible to obtain via human effort. There is no mere human who has ever been good enough or ever will be good enough to obtain eternal life. The very best commandment keepers fall short of the mark and are still lacking the perfection necessary. Only Jesus, God in the flesh is truly good and it is only through accepting His righteousness in place of our own that we enter life. We rest in Christ’s finished work because He has done it all. This is an entirely different system then the one the rich young man was depending upon. This is heavenly accounting as described in the fourth chapter of Romans.
1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God , and it was credited to him as righteousness." 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven , And whose sins have been covered. 8 "Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account." 18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "So shall your descendants be." 19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. 22 Therefore It was also credited to him as righteousness. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. Romans 4:1-8, 18-25 (NASB)
When we have faith in Christ, Christ righteousness is credit to our account even though we haven’t done anything to deserve it. It is not based on works, otherwise we would have something to boast about. We are justified before God purely by the finished work of Jesus. This is what Jesus so wanted the young man to understand. Matthew 19 is not a passage about commandment keeping. Rather it is a passage designed to tell us that it is impossible to obtain eternal life through commandment keeping. It’s just as impossible as passing a camel through the eye of a needle.
It would also be a wrong use of this passage to imply that post-cross New Covenant Christians are still under the pre-cross Old Covenant Law. This passage doesn’t even hint at such a thing. That would be a wrong interpretation because it would contradict many other parts of scripture that clearly state otherwise. Finally, it should be noted that this passage doesn’t even touch upon the topic of whether or not post-cross New Covenant Christians are required to keep a particular day holy. The topic isn’t touched upon or even implied by anything in the passage. To answer this question we would need to turn to other parts of scripture which very clearly address this topic. Scripture leaves no doubt that post-cross New Covenant Christians are no longer required to observe any of the ceremonial shadows, including the Old Covenant weekly Sabbath (sabbaton).
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. 16 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. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Colossians 2:13-17 (NIV)
In love,
Chris
The Covenants: Part XI - Colossians 2
Colossians 2:13-17
In Part X of our study we saw how Paul addressed the issue of holy days in the Church at Rome
In Part XI I would like to examine how Paul addressed the controversy in the Church at Colosse. Here the situation was different than in Rome Rome
Paul addressed this heresy in a very firm way when writing to the Colossians:
Colossians 2:13-15 (NASB)
13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,
14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,
14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
Jesus Christ canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, or as the NIV translates the Greek, “having canceled the written code with its regulations”. Jesus Christ took the written code and it’s regulations out of the way by nailing it to the cross.
Now I have heard those of a sabbatarian persuasion protest, “Yes, but not the Sabbath day! The Sabbath day was never taken out of the way and nailed to the cross!” But what does the inspired inerrant scripture say about this?
In transitioning from verse 15 to verse 16, Paul uses an important transitional Greek word, “oun”. “Oun” is usually translated into English as “therefore”, “then”, or “so then”. As a general biblical interpretive rule, when you see the word “therefore”, stop and see what it’s there for. By using this transitional word, Paul is telling us that what follows in verse 16 flows out of what was done in verses 13 -15. Or to put it another way, because Christ nailed the written code with its regulations to the cross, the things in verse 16 were taken out of the way and no one should judge on the basis of these things any longer.
Colossians 2:16-17 (NASB)
16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—
17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.
16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—
17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.
In verse 16 Paul uses a familiar sequence to describe all the prescribed Sabbaths. This sequence is used in either ascending or descending order throughout scripture, but it always encompasses all the Jewish Sabbaths; annual, monthly, and weekly Sabbaths. The gist of the argument that Paul is making is this; Christ nailed the written code to the cross, therefore the following shadows have been taken out of the way: food laws, annual festival Sabbaths, monthly new moon Sabbaths, and the weekly Sabbath day.
Now, I have heard some sabbatarians argue that Paul is not referring to the weekly Sabbath here, but only to what sabbatarians sometimes refer to as “ceremonial Sabbaths”, which they assume to be limited to annual festival Sabbaths and monthly new moon Sabbaths. But this argument does not hold up to scrutiny for three reasons:
- When this familiar sequence is used in scripture it is used to encompass all the prescribed Sabbaths, not just the annual and monthly Sabbaths. This sequence always includes the weekly Sabbath day as well.
- To insist that the weekly Sabbath day is excluded from Paul’s statement turns his sentence into redundant nonsense. Such an assertion would make the Apostle Paul say something like, “Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival Sabbath or a new moon Sabbath or a festival Sabbath day or a new moon Sabbath day.” This makes no sense at all. Why would Paul mention the annual festival Sabbaths and new moon Sabbaths, and then refer to them again by saying “or a Sabbath day”? Paul is not being redundant; he is listing all three types of Sabbaths; annual festival, monthly new moon, and weekly day.
- The Greek word Paul uses here for “Sabbath day” is “sabbaton”. “Sabbaton” is translated as “Sabbath” 61 times in the New Testament. All sabbatarians would agree that the other 60 times all, without fail, refer to the weekly Sabbath day. Only here in Colossians 2 would sabbatarians want to argue that “sabbaton” no longer means the weekly Sabbath day, but something else. This is highly inconsistent. Upon what linguistic basis should “sabbaton” mean something different here when it always means the weekly Sabbath elsewhere? This is merely an attempt to avoid and deny the plain teaching of scripture.
There does not seem to be any good contextual, logical, or linguistic reason to understand Paul’s statement to mean anything other than that ALL the Sabbaths; annual Sabbaths, monthly Sabbaths, and weekly Sabbath day were taken out of the way and were nailed to the cross. All the Sabbaths were only shadows of Jesus Christ and all were completely fulfilled in Him. Jesus is the substance, not the shadow. This is consistent with what is said in scripture about other Old Covenant rituals.
Hebrews 10:1 (NASB)
1 For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.
1 For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.
Sabbath observance is in the same category as animal sacrifices. It was only a shadow, not the very form of things, not the substance. Because we now have the substance, Jesus, there is no need to continue to cling to shadows like Sabbath observance or animal sacrifices. Now that the real thing has come, continuing to cling to shadows is a form of spiritual adultery.
This reminds me of an illustration from Pastor J. Mark Martin. Imagine that your spouse has been gone for a very long time and all you have had is a picture to help you think of him or her. You go to the airport and he or she gets off the plane. You go running towards your spouse, but when you get there you fall on the ground and start kissing his or her shadow and trying to hug the shadow. You start saying, “Oh I love you shadow, I love you so much shadow!” Your spouse would probably look at you like you were nuts. He or she would probably say, “Hey, I’m right here! Love me, not my shadow!” If you persisted in clinging to the shadow he or she would probably get pretty frustrated with you. In fact, if you kept trying to make love to the shadow instead of your spouse, you would be engaging in a form of adultery. In order to embrace your spouse, you would have to let go of his or her shadow first. In order to truly embrace Jesus, we must first relinquish our grip on the shadows that only pointed to him.
In Part XII we will continue to explore what scripture has to say about Christ as our true Sabbath rest, the fulfillment of the shadow.
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