Therefore let no one pass judgment on you… these are a shadow of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. – Colossians 2:16-17
Everyone wants the real deal. When given a choice wouldn’t you rather have a $10 bill than an I.O.U. or real gold rather than iron pyrite? Most would!
The entire Bible is God’s story of the redemption of humanity. The Old Testament is the recorded history of the children of Israel, but it is also a “picture language” providing people an idea of God’s plan of salvation. For example: in the sin of one man, Adam, all humankind dies, but through the grace of Jesus Christ all people may live. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness bringing people to safety, the Son of Man was lifted up on a cross, saving all who are willing. As Jonah was in the belly of a whale three days and nights, Christ was three nights in Hell before His resurrection. You don’t have to squint to see God’s finger pointing to Christ in every chapter of the Old Testament. The history and the stories were the shadow, and Christ is the real deal.
There will be a time when God’s story comes to an end and humanity’s journey on Earth will be complete. The Old Testament has a picture of that also! As the days of Noah were, so shall the days preceding the second coming of Christ be. If you are in dismay observing the chaos in the world, remember God is not surprised — He wrote the book. Pray for America’s leaders today to consider their lives beyond written history. Ask that many will choose their destiny wisely, opting for the real deal – receiving the mercy of God found in Jesus Christ.
Today’s Verse: Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Acts 13:26-30
“Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
