In the last post we looked at a biblical passage often brought up in discussions regarding Christians and the Sabbath - that being Colossians 2:16,17. Within that discussion we briefly considered "shadows", and how they can be used to teach/show us things we may need to know, such as time of day, location, etc. We looked at this because Col. 2:17 says that the Sabbath, New Moons, and Festivals are "shadows" what is "to come."
It is obvious that the text tells us that the Sabbath, etc. are clearly shadows - in other words, they were and are meant to teach/show us something about the Messiah, and His redemptive work in this world. However, unfortunately most of Christianity has taken this to mean that they are "merely"shadows (as the NASB puts it), and that they really have no true value to the Believer in Jesus, because HE is the reality. I completely agree that HE is the reality, the true object of our faith and affection. But I must wholeheartedly disagree that the Sabbath and Festivals have no real value to the believer any longer - in fact, I contend that of all people, those that have accepted that Yeshua (Jesus) is the promised Messiah and Savior promised in the Tenakh (Old Testament), the Believer in Him is the one that should see the GREATEST value in those things that are pictures of His redemptive work!
With that said, I would like to ask a simple question of those that believe that the Sabbath, Festivals, etc. are really not important, or something to be observed and paid attention to by believers in Yeshua the Messiah: If we do not need to observe the Sabbath, etc. because they are "mere shadows", and therefore not really important now that the Messiah has come the first time, then why is such pomp and circumstance given to things such as Christmas, Easter, The Lord's supper, baptism, etc.? Furthermore (and this is the crux of the question), if the Sabbath, New Moons, and Holy Festivals of the Tenakh were/are shadows of our Messiah and Savior, then what are Christmas, Easter, etc. shadows of? In other words, if our Messiah, and His redemptive "plan" is casting the shadows of Sabbath, etc., then what is casting the shadows of Christmas, etc.?
You see, Christians are focused on a whole HOST of "shadows" and don't even realize it. Is Christmas the reality of Messiah? Is Easter? Are they not "Festivals?" Again, I ask, If the Sabbath, and Festivals such as Passover, the Feast of Trumpets, The feast of Tabernacles, etc. are the biblically defined "shadows" of our Messiah, then who or what, pray tell, is casting the "shadows" of Christmas, Easter, etc. - things found absolutely nowhere in the bible?
Please, if you have not considered these things before, then do so now. I have no intention of judging anyone. My desire is to see ALL believers come into the "...measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13). If you are celebrating ANY holiday with the intention that it is about Yeshua (Jesus), then you ARE observing a "shadow." Who's shadow are you really celebrating?
We are about to come into the fall feats given in the bible (spec. Lev. 23) - Yom Teruah (The Feast of Trumpets/Rosh Hashanna), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles). Right now we are in the Hebrew Month of Elul, the Month preceding Tishrei, the Month of the Fall Festivals. Elul is the Month considered to be a time of inward reflection and repentance (Paul tells us to "examine" ourselves in 2 Cor. 13:5). Prepare yourself for your Bridegroom.
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