Luke 6:1-11 Jesus is Lord of The Sabbath Part 2
How does the New Testament Christian approach at least some of the Old Testament "rules”?
There’s a lot of debate on this question, and the apostle takes a tolerant note. In Romans 14, he says that as long as people are doing what they do to the Lord, it is between them and the Lord.
It’s a lot like the song “Me and My Shadow.”
Let me explain.
My take is focused on what I beleive Paul calls the “Reality” that came with Jesus Christ. Once the “shadows” that pointed to this Reality were all we had. But in Christ, the “Reality” has come. We have no legalistic “need” for the shadows. They can be helpful, even instructive. They can and do make for a wonderful yearly cycle of worshipping the Lord and what He’s done and is going to do.
But that being said, you’ve got to be careful. Rules are given to describe those things that allow for the flow of God’s life. But when the rules are mere shadows of the Reality, they can become “ends” unto themselves and actually something human flesh and a desire for control can coopt and use to its own ends.
God’s children are “free,” and live subject to the law of love and life and the Reality that is Jesus Christ.
Keeping days as if they are necessary to have God can become slavish, elemental systems of religion. The Reality is found in Christ. And notice the word “can.” Some folks keep these things and honor Christ amazingly. Paul said this:
Colossians 2:16-17
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.
As long as we focus on and live out of the Reality, we’re free to worship Him and honor Him with all kinds of things in the wonderful world. Just don’t become slaves to rules. Be a servant—-actually a son and daughter—of Christ instead. And live in your freedom and show God’s love to all—-both as you and with your shadows!