Shadow Games

June 6

Read: Hebrews 8

Shadow Games

(Old Law vs. New Law Part 3)

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers…I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people…For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” ( v.8,10,12 / Jer. 31:31-)

It was ALWAYS Gods plan to enact a new and better covenant through his Son Jesus. He has been talking about it since the days of old. He spoke through is prophet Jeremiah to tell the people that this new and better covenant was coming. For us, it is HERE and NOW. Jesus brought about this new and better way. The ministry of Jesus and this new and better covenant “is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he (Jesus) mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.” (v.6) In Christ, we are given something much more promising than the law… a greater hope and destiny.

The law and its system had always been but a shadow of what was to come - but never the actual substance. Speaking of the law and its system, the scriptures say: “They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” (v.5) What would you rather have: the shadow of a car or the car itself? The shadow of a meal or the meal itself? The shadows tells us something about what it is a shadow of, but it is never anything more than a shadow. This is the law… it was and is but a shadow pointing to Christ. We can follow the shadow and its shape to tell us something about what it represents and where that thing is located … but who in there right mind would want the shadow over the real thing? Who in their right mind would say that the shadow is superior? Who would continue to interact with the shadow when they have the real thing in front of them? Could you imagine talking to your spouse’s shadow while turning your back to them? Could you imagine hugging your spouse’s shadow instead of them? This is what we do with the law sometimes! We turn our back to Jesus so that we can talk to and interact with the law which is nothing but a shadow pointing towards him!

What exactly are these “better promises” that we now have through God in Christ? For one, God’s new covenant is one where we are transformed from the inside out… where he changes our hearts and minds. God works in us to “put his laws into our minds” and to “write them on our hearts”. (v.10) This is a supernatural transformation taking place. He is shaping our thoughts and emotions to reflect HIS laws and desires. This new covenant is rooted in looking to Christ IN US - the very one who is working over our mind and hearts. Secondly, it is one where he is “merciful towards our iniquities” and he “remembers our sins no more.”. (v.12) Do you see the forgiveness that we spoke about yesterday? How the “once and for all” work of Christ impacts this “new covenant” that God has made with his people?

It is time to stop worshipping the shadow and turn to the real thing! God is transforming your heart and your mind. He has written “his laws” there so that you no longer look to “the law” but rather to Christ - the high priest of a newer and better covenant on your behalf. God does not even remember your sins in Christ Jesus. He is not thinking about them one bit. God says so with his own words: “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Love you guys. - JDP