Learner’s Permits and Shadows Pointing to Christ

I’m preaching tomorrow on Colossians 2:16-23, where Paul tells us to reject shadows and hold to Christ, the Substance of our faith. One example of “shadows” is the set of Old Testament regulations, which New Covenant believers are no longer bound by. The book of Hebrews takes pains to show that the Old Covenant was a copy or shadow of the real covenant instituted by Jesus and his completed work. Paul encourages believers in Colossians to hold to Christ as the only Way of access to God.

One illustration of this principle is the learner’s permit for new drivers. Teenagers get these and work under supervision to learn how to drive safely on their own. There are specific restrictions to a learner’s permit – limitations on what hours they can drive, as well as requirements for an adult driver of a certain age to be in the car at all times. Finally, after around a year of the limited learner’s permit, the young person can get the full driver’s license, with all the rights and privileges that go with it. Why, after getting that, would they go back to the learner’s permit? Why would they go back to that which was just a shadow of their full freedom? That’s how nonsensical it is for believers to try to go back to that which was only meant to point to Christ. Christ alone is the Substance of our faith, and he alone provides access to God, forgiveness, and eternal life. Don’t hold to anything instead of Jesus, or in addition to Jesus.

This could illustrate Colossians 2, but also Ephesians 2, Hebrews 4, Hebrews 8, and Hebrews 10.

Alan Stibbs on the Priesthood of Jesus

I found this quote in John Stott’s The Cross of Christ, page 268.  He’s actually quoting from a lesser-known book by Alan Stibbs called The Finished Work of Christ.  The quote includes a helpful illustration on the priesthood of Jesus, especially as this role is discussed in the book of Hebrews.  Jesus offered a one-time sacrifice for all, but His priesthood is eternal.  Contrary to official Catholic theology, this eternal priesthood does not mean that Jesus is continually being sacrificed.  Stibbs writes,

“Admittedly the act of offering was necessary to constitute Christ a priest…just as the act of child-bearing is necessary to constitute a woman a mother.  But that truth does not mean in the case of motherhood that henceforth, to those who resort to her as ‘mother,’ such a woman is always giving them birth.  Her act of child-bearing is for them not only an indispensable but also a finished work.  What they now enjoy are other complementary ministries of motherhood, which lie beyond the child-bearing.  Similarly with Christ’s priesthood His propitiatory offering is not only an indispensable but also a finished work…(Now, however) as with motherhood, beyond such successful discharge of the fundamental function of priesthood there lie other complementary throne ministries of grace, which the Priest fulfills for the benefit of His already reconciled people (in particular, His heavenly intercession)” [p. 30-31 in Stibbs’ book].

You wouldn’t have to read this quote to use the idea of motherhood as an illustration of Jesus’ priesthood.  You could just explain that one act brings about both motherhood and priesthood, yet both lead to ongoing duties and ministries (and give examples of each).  This could illustrate sermons from multiple chapters in Hebrews, as well as the crucifixion passages (especially the statement: “It is finished!”).  You could also use it to illustrate verses like Mark 10:45, where Jesus talks about offering Himself for us.

Tags: Matthew 27, Mark 10, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19, Hebrews 3, Hebrews 4, Hebrews 5, Hebrews 7, Hebrews 8, Hebrews 9, Hebrews 10, Atonement, Priesthood, High Priest, Sacrifice