The Shadow and the Body
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”Colossians 2:16–17 (KJV)
The sabbath was one of the great gifts of the law: a day of rest every week, built into creation. Paul says something surprising about it.
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” The sabbath was a shadow. Christ is the one who cast it.
A shadow tells you something real is nearby. It has the shape of the thing, but you can’t lean on it. The weekly rest pointed to a deeper rest that only Jesus gives. He said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Rest days are still good for us. But the rest our souls need most isn’t a day on the calendar. It is a person. Come to him.
Read it yourself
Read Colossians 2:8–17. What does Paul say was nailed to the cross?
Are you looking for rest in a day off, or in Christ himself?
Lord Jesus, you are the substance behind every shadow. I come to you for rest. Amen.