Why is there no longer any need for Old Testament ritual?
Old Testament ritual ceased to be necessary because the handwriting of ordinances was blotted out, taken out of the way, and nailed to His cross. When Christ died and finished the work of redemption, all the ceremonial ritual—animal sacrifices, priestly robes, washings—was set aside.
Les explains that the handwriting of ordinances—associated with services—was against us and contrary to us. It was blotted out, taken out of the way, and nailed to His cross. That pictured all the ritual Israel practiced in keeping the Law: animal sacrifices, the robes of the priesthood, the washing, and everything associated with the ceremonial ritual. When Christ died and finished the work of redemption, there was no longer any need for all of that Old Testament ritual. Les adds that it is hard for mankind to lay aside things that appeal to the flesh. He recalls a lady with a beautiful testimony who was tied to high-church ritual; she admitted it had nothing to do with her salvation but made her feel good and helped her worship. Les understood her feeling to a point, but insisted the book does not teach that.
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;
More Questions
What happened to the Old Testament ceremonial ritual when Jesus died?
The entire Old Testament ceremonial ritual—animal sacrifices, priestly robes, washings, and all related practices—was nailed to Christ's cross.
What happened to Israel's Old Testament ceremonial rituals at the cross?
All of Israel's ceremonial ritual — the keeping of the Law, the animal sacrifices, the priestly robes, the washings — has been nailed to Christ's cross.