Colossians 2:16-23 (NIV)
Read by: Jess Steere
Today on Daily Read we continue on in our series through the Prison Letters. These are letters that Paul is writing to churches trying to encourage and instruct. Today’s passage, for instance, is challenging the Colossians to resist the people who want to measure their piety or holiness based on what rules or regulations they follow.
Sometimes we can get so focused on the religious activity we perform that we miss what those activities are supposed to point us towards. Pauls sees these activities being used to measure this young church asn he refers to them as shadows. It’s as if he’s telling the church, don’t mistake the shadow on the ground for the solid object that is casting the shadow itself.
Think about the religious activities that fill you week and reflect on why you do them as you listen.
----------REFLECT----------
1. What did you find most challenging about this passage?
2. Is there an area of your life where you have mistaken the shadow for the object itself? Where you have focused on the activity of following Jesus at the cost of focusing on Jesus himself? Bring that before the LORD who sees you and loves you.
3. Paul instead encourages us to stay connected with Jesus, the head of the body. What could this look like? Perhaps you take 5-10 minutes in the next day to simply sit or walk in silence and give Jesus your attention. Ask the LORD how you should respond.
----------GO DEEPER----------
Bible Project Podcast: New Testament Letters >>
Bible Project Video: New Testament Letters: Historical Context >>
Bible Project Video: New Testament Letters: Literary Context >>
Bible Project Video: Colossians >>
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