June 16, 2019: SOAP #3482:  1Kings 17-19; Colossians 2

Scripture:  Colossians (NIV) 2:16 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.

Observation:   It is interesting to watch a young child first discover their shadow.  Some have a little panic attack as they try to escape.

A shadow is powerless.  It has no ability to think or to choose its actions.  It cannot cause a pre-determined action.  It’s just a shadow!

But a shadow can reveal some truth about what is casting that shadow.  How big it is.  A little about its shape.  How fast it moves.

And so, the law is a shadow people could follow to its source: to Christ!  The law could not save us, but Jesus can!   The law could not make me clean, but Jesus can!  Keeping the Sabbath cannot make me holy, but Jesus can!

Application:  Jesus is the reality I need to study.  The better I know Jesus, the better I will understand the Old Testament.  Better than that, the better I know Jesus, the better I will understand what God desires of me now.  The better I know Jesus, the better I will learn to rely on the Holy Spirit as he did.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, as you sent your Holy Spirit to lead Jesus as he lived on earth, so you have sent the same Holy Spirit to empower my ministry here on earth.  Teach me to rely on his guidance. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!