These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
Colossians 2:17
All religious ceremony is only a glimpse of what is to come. When Paul wrote this epistle to the Colossians religious festivals were a common occurrence. So, when the Judaizers came into the Colossian church it would of been easy to tell them that they needed to practice the Passover, the Feast of Tabernacles, the Sabbath and all the rest. But, Paul realized the truth that all those feasts and special days were only a foretaste, a glimpse of what was to be found in Christ.
So what does that mean to us today? All the feasts and special days in the Old Testament are meant to point us to Christ. Just like our church services today are meant to lead us to Christ. Going to church does not save you, knowing Christ does. I think we often get hung up on the acts of the service or meeting and miss the point which is connecting to Christ. Think about singing, worship. How often to we just sing hoping to get a warm fuzzy and kind of forget that worship is not really about us, it's supposed to be about acknowledging Christ for who is. It's OK to tell God your concerns and ask his help and deliverance. That's just really a petition not worship.
Now I don't want to get legalistic about anything I just want to encourage us to remember that our fullness, our completeness, our wholeness and healing is all wrapped up in Christ, knowing him and serving him. The important rituals we still have are not the end, they are just reminders. Like baptism does not save you. Baptism is an acknowledgment that Christ died for our sins and we also died to our sins in Him and that we, like him have risen to a new life in Christ.
The reality, our reality is found in Christ.
Good post. Please, forgive me for pointing out a grammar boo boo, but it should be an easy fix. "Would of" is really "would've" or "would have." You are right in that we need to put some thought into our service and not just go through the motions.
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