The apostle made two stops in the region during his first missionary expedition and established a network of churches there (Acts 13:13-14:23).
He proclaimed to them the amazing news that Jesus had not only fulfilled the Jewish law but had thrown open the door of salvation to the entire world.
But just as soon as he hit the road, a group of spiritual snake oil salesmen rolled into town. They convinced the Galatian believers that Paul didn't give them the full story.
According to them, Jews must still follow Jewish law. And Gentiles must become Jews in order to follow Jesus. In other words, Jesus might bring you into His kingdom, but it's up to you to keep yourself in it.
Once back in Antioch in Syria, the apostle has gotten the disappointingly bad news from Galatia of their return to Jewish ritual.
He's floored to hear what is going on. He hears that they have dusted off their old Jewish calendars to celebrate the holy days once again. "You observe days and months and seasons and years" (v10).
Paul is stunned. He thought that he had instructed them fully that this was no longer needed. He clearly preached to them in the synagogue specifically what Jesus had done for them.
"Through this Man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by Him everyone who believes is freed from everything from you could not be freed by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38-39).
In other words, get rid of your old Jewish calendar.
In Jesus, a new day has dawned. There's no need to celebrate a weekly ritual of the Jewish Sabbath. There's no need to concern yourself about what month it is on the Jewish calendar. There's no worry about whether it's time to celebrate Passover or Pentecost. Toss that old calendar in the trash.
But wait just a Mississippi minute. No more Sabbath? No more Passover? Who gave Paul the right to ditch the ritual calendar after thousands of years of Judaism?
God established these days, months, seasons and years so that we could remember Him, worship Him and set our hearts on Him. What's changed on this side of the cross?
That was exactly Paul's point when he preached of Jesus in the Galatian synagogues (Acts 13:38-39). Jesus provides forgiveness, so there's no more need for ritual sacrifice whether daily, weekly, monthly or annually. Christ frees us from law of Moses by fulfilling it completely and perfectly on our behalf (Mt 5:17).
In his letter to the Colossians, the apostle explains that these various holy days and festivals were simply put in place to remind us that Messiah would come one day. "These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ" (Col 2:16-17). And there's more of the same in Romans 14:1-6.
There is a parallel for the followers of Jesus. The Lord told us to celebrate the communion meal as a way to remember His sacrifice for us until He comes back (Lk 22:14-23). When you observe the Lord's Supper, "you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes" (1Cor 11:26).
Once Jesus comes back, there will be no reason to observe communion. At that point, we're invited to THE Big Party, the Wedding Supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9). There will no point to remember Jesus when He's already back with us.
But let's not get so high and mighty about the Jewish holy days. Let's face facts. We do the same. We center our calendar on our days, months, seasons and years too.
Christmas. Easter. Fourth of July. Thanksgiving. Even birthdays and anniversaries. These are all fun and great times for so many reasons. But we shouldn't worship them. They aren't Jesus.
I have to confess my personal legalism when it comes to the calendar. I remember certain events that happened on particular dates in the past like these days hold some particular power or significance.
The death of a friend or relative. An important day at work. A big event for the family.
It's OK to remember. It's wrong to worship. It's a sin to obsess. God tells us that He is always up to something brand spanking new. "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" (Is 43:19).
And Paul wasn't one to stare at the rear view mirror either. "But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:13-14).
Throw out the old calendar.
When the apostle gets the news that the Galatians are celebrating the old Jewish rituals and festivals, he's worried that his time with them is down the toilet. "I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain" (v11).
He thought they went all over that when he was there. Had he wasted his time? Was it all in vain? That's what happens when we go back to our old ways of legalism.
Come on, folks. It's time to throw out the old calendar.
©2012
Jay Jennings
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