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; 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
This passage of scripture teaches us that there were certain laws and ordinances which were nailed to the cross, when Christ gave up His life on Calvary, and it is of the utmost importance that we understand which ones were nailed, and which ones still remain valid. In the passage above, the stipulation is given as to which ordinances are being referred to, for the verses clearly state that those that were nailed to the cross were "Shadows" of things to come, but the body is of Christ. Now it is an undisputed fact that wherever there is a shadow, there must be a body, and therefore, the shadows here spoken of must be referring to those ordinances which pointed the minds of the people back then, to The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world. Let's read:
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 43 The day following Jesus"... "findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
Exodus 12:1 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, 3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
Thus it is, that the "Shadows" spoken of in our passage for today refer to the law of sacrifices, which pointed the minds of the people to Christ, the Lamb of God. As the Hebrews slew the sacrificial lamb for sins committed, they were to look forward in faith to the world's Redeemer, who was being foreshadowed in the lambs that were being slain back then. Thus, the Bible teaches us that it was the law of sacrifices which was nailed to the cross, whilst the law of Ten Commandments remained intact. The moral law of God was never a shadow or type, because it existed in heaven, long before man was created, and ages before we ever needed a Savior.
The attempt to include the law of Ten commandments with the law of sacrifices, as being nailed to the cross, is an effort made by mortals under the direction of satan, to have the moral code removed from the consciences of men, resulting in a form of cheap grace, which allows the sinner to take the name of Christ, while living in open rebellion against His revealed will. But God would have us understand that His Moral law is still valid, for it is as timeless and enduring as eternity.
The Bible begins in Genesis with the broken law of God in Eden, and then it ends with the law restored in the last book and chapter of Revelation, thus showing us plainly that it was never nailed to the cross, but instead will endure throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which confirms this sacred truth to us, and it is the will of God that we be not deceived by the cunning and craftiness of men, who lie in wait to deceive. 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. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!