Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.
There is much unnecessary debate in modern Christendom about what exactly was nailed to the cross when Christ died. Some Christians believe that the law of ten commandments was nailed to the cross and is no longer binding upon us. Others believe that it was the book of ordinances pertaining to the sacrificial services, which pointed to Christ, that was nailed. There is no reason for any misunderstanding whatever, if we allow the Bible to explain itself.
First of all the word commandments are not even mentioned in the passage in Colossians, however it does state that what was blotted out was the handwriting of ordinances. So the next logical question is, what was the handwriting of ordinances being spoken of?
There were two sets of writings given at Mount Sinai, one set was the ten commandments written with the finger of God on two tables of stone, and the other set was the laws and ordinances given to Moses which he himself wrote in a book. These two sets of writings were later placed in the ark, the ten commandments being placed within the inner confines of the ark by itself, and the book that Moses wrote which was placed in the sides of the ark, this according to the scriptures. Let's read:
Exodus 32:15 And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. 16 And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.
Deuteronomy 31:24 And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, 25 That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying, 26 Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
The handwriting of ordinances therefore cannot be referring to the ten commandments, for they were in existence before the world was created. That's why satan fell, because of his transgression of the law, for sin is the transgression of the law. Furthermore, the Bible gives us many examples of the "ordinances" that are being referred to. Let's read:
Leviticus 23:9 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: 11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12 And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the Lord.
This ordinance pointed directly to Christ, who, "On the morrow after the Sabbath", arose from the grave and ascended to heaven to present ("wave") Himself before the Father. That's why when he was approached by Mary on the first day of the week, He instructed her not to touch Him, because He had not presented Himself before the Father as yet. Let's read:
John 20:11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
And so, after the ordinance was fulfilled in Christ, it was no longer necessary for any one to perform that specific ceremony, and thus it was "nailed to the cross".
Then again we have other ordinances that were a part of the "handwriting" of Moses, some of which were nailed to the cross. Let's read:
Numbers 18:8 And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.
Numbers 19:2 This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke. etc.
In our day there are efforts constantly being made to abolish the ten commandments, and that's one of the main reasons why so many unscriptural interpretations abound. God's law is eternal as Himself and to those who sincerely seek to worship Him in spirit and in truth, the living oracles will be made very plain so that none need walk in darkness. We therefore end with a passage of scripture reminding us that the law of ten commandments are still in force, and to all who desire to pass through the gates of heaven, obedience to all of its sacred precepts will be required. Let's read:
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Let us therefore, instead of warring against the truth, seek to align our selves by the grace of God, with the principles of righteousness as embodied in God's sacred law. May this be our experience, both now and for eternity. "Good night" and God bless!