What does it mean that the Old Testament things were a shadow but the Body is of Christ?
The Old Testament regulations—meat, drink, holy days, new moons, Sabbaths—were only a shadow, a preview of things to come. Christ satisfied the Law, blotted out the handwriting of ordinances, and nailed it to His cross. The Body is of Christ, meaning its reality and head is Christ, not the Old Testament shadow.
Les explains from Colossians 2 that the handwriting of ordinances was against us and contrary to us, but Christ took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross. Having spoiled principalities and powers, He triumphed over them in His work of the cross. Since the Law is satisfied, believers are no longer under it, so no one should judge them in meat, drink, holy days, new moons, or Sabbath days. Those things flash back to Judaism and the Law, which are now behind us. Verse 17 calls them all a shadow, a preview of things to come, but the Body is of Christ. Les says he does not think the Body of Christ even had the preview in the Old Testament types; the cross and His resurrection did, but not the Body. He also connects this to Colossians 3, where the peace of God rules in the one Body and the Word of Christ dwells richly, because God does not want ignorant believers but well-taught, grounded, joyful children.
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
More Questions
What does Colossians 2:17 mean when it says the shadows were a preview but the Body is of Christ?
The Old Testament shadows and types were only a preview of things to come, whereas the Body is of Christ, as Colossians 2:17 states.