Colossians 2:16-17
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions regarding food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
Back in the early days of Christianity, there was enormous pressure to hold on to the “old ways” of being right with God—strict observance of various Jewish rituals and laws. For a Jew coming out of Judaism to follow Christ, it must have been incredibly difficult…but also radically liberating. For a Gentile (non-Jew), there would have been no small amount of confusion as to which crowd to follow, which made them easy prey for false teachers. Paul is directing his comments to both groups of Christians, which is why he starts this section with “Therefore,” referring to the reality of their new status as fully accepted by God.
In what ways do other Christians pass judgment on you? Some of us enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with dinner, while others do not. Some Christians do a variety of things on Sunday (the Sabbath), while others confine themselves to religious activities alone. In some churches they “put on their Sunday best” but in others they dress casually. Some Christians don’t have a problem watching an R-rated movie while others avoid them like the plague. In recent years, we have certainly seen this kind of strife when it comes to politics, masking, and vaccines. All of these things can be important items to discuss and wrestle with, but none of them are the essence of our Christianity. That title belongs to Christ and Christ alone.
I have a dear friend (Matt Papa) who happens to be an amazing singer/songwriter and musician. I often say he is like the Apostle Paul with a guitar and a piano…that’s how theologically rich his lyrics are (you should check him out!). His song The Ocean is based on a Jonathan Edwards sermon from the 1730’s that includes this powerful section:
“To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any, or all earthly friends. These are but shadows; but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean.”
A “Red Herring” is something that misleads or distracts from a relevant or important question…and Red Herrings abounded back in Paul’s day, as they do in ours. We can miss the forest for the trees when we focus our Christianity on anything other than Christ and what his love accomplished for us. The Jewish laws and festivals were merely a shadow of things to come…all of which found their fulfillment or completion in Christ. On this side of the cross there is NOTHING that can make you more acceptable to God in Christ. What you eat…what you drink…what you wear…the kind of music you listen to…or how your church does worship music or what rituals it observes. Those decisions are shadows. Christ is the substance.
Is your Christianity based on your performance? That can be legalism. Morality is important—and required—but we are not talking about clear moral decisions. Paul is talking about rituals that appear to be spiritual, but in fact, have no impact on true spirituality. You can attend every Sunday, wear your Sunday best, sing every song, put your tithe in the plate, greet your fellow attendees with a smile on your face and spend the rest of the day in bible study and prayer and still be far from God. Do you really think God is fooled by that sort of performance? He doesn’t love you more when you perform, and He doesn’t love you less when you don’t. Quit chasing shadows. Christ is the substance.
