Here is a necessary exhortation: "let no one judge you regarding sabbaths." Such judgments are made by Sabbatarians, those who believe the Old Covenant Sabbaths are yet binding on Christians today. They are often heard saying, "God commanded in the fourth of the Ten Commandments, as recorded in Exodus 20:8-11, 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy....' Why do you violate the commandment of God by not keeping Sabbaths?"

To them we reply, "The same God who inspired Moses in Old Testament times to command Israel to 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy ....' later inspired Paul to command Christians in these New Testament times to 'let no one judge you regarding sabbaths.'" The Pauline commandment was given after the Mosaic commandment, and therefore clearly has precedence over it. Consequently, those who today would require Christians to observe Sabbaths, or who would judge them for not doing so, are clearly violating the New Testament commandment of God. God approves the Christian who "esteems every day alike" (Romans 14:5) and commands him to "let no one judge you regarding sabbaths."

Here is a glorious explanation: "sabbaths are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ." The substance or body of Christ belongs to these New Testament times, the days of the gospel. These New Testament times began when He was incarnate in human flesh, when "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14) as "God manifested in the flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16; cp. 1 John 1:1f). The body of Christ is here presented as having cast a shadow into the previous Old Testament times, the days of the law. His shadow included the Old Testament Sabbaths, which are here called "a shadow of things to come."

Note the contrast between Sabbaths and Christ. They are but shadows, but He is the substance (or body) who cast them. A shadow is but an imperfect representation of the one who casts it. Accordingly, the rests which were enjoyed in Sabbaths were but imperfect types of the rest which is enjoyed in Christ.

1) Sabbath rests were physical rests, for the body; Christ's rest is spiritual rest, for the soul. He accordingly invites us to "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavey laden, and I will give you rest.... you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28f).

2) Sabbath rests were observed for only one day of the week (after which the observer had to go back to work) and had to be constantly repeated; Christ's rest is observed once for all. We are therefore taught that "he who has entered [Christ's] rest has himself also ceased [forever] from his works as God did from His" (Hebrews 4:10).

3) Sabbath rests were observed by many who died in unbelief — even by many of the worst enemies of Christ (see Mark 3:1-6); Christ's rest is enjoyed only by those who believe in Him (Hebrews 4:3): "For we who have believed do enter that rest." God says to the former, "So I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest" (Hebrews 4:3). But He says to the latter, "I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

The shadow cast by a coming loved one may be considered very dear. But when that loved one has himself arrived, his shadow is forsaken and his body is embraced. In like manner, the Sabbaths in Old Testament times were to be considered "a delight" (Isaiah 58:13). But when the One who cast those shadows has Himself arrived, His shadow is forsaken and His body is embraced, for He is far more delightful. Believers today have accordingly forsaken Sabbath-keeping and commenced Christ-keeping.

Have your forsaken Sabbath-keeping and found that far greater rest in Jesus Christ. If you have, "Therefore let no one judge you regarding sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ."