Why would anybody not want to be upgraded to the New Covenant of Jesus Christ and choose to continue practicing what Jesus took away?
Tradition and Identity.
Here in the United States we have many holidays. They literally are all manmade. The only Holy Days that God established with Israel is in the Bible. The Feast Days and the days of solemn assembly.
These Holy Days were to identify who they were in the world seperate from the other nations.
Peter had a hard time with the unification of jews and gentiles living under one flag.
Originally back in Egypt even in Joseph's day it was said that the egyptians do not eat with the jews.
Gen 43:32
And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that
is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
When we come to the book of Acts the situation is flipped:
Act 11:2
And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
Act 11:3
Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
Gal 2:11
But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
Gal 2:12
For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Gal 2:13
And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
It's about identity.
And through Christ identities don't matter.
Col 3:10
And have put on the new
man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Col 3:11
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond
nor free: but Christ
is all, and in all.
I understand and I get it. People want to be recognized from their heritage and their traditions.
And God chose a people and called them Israel and gave them an identity to show the world the difference between Our God and their gods.
But when Jesus came that wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles was torn down.
Now we all share the same Identity.
And it has nothing to do with heritage or traditions. It only has to do with the Lord.
America, the melting pot of traditions and nationalities and identities.
It was created for all people to come and live under one America.
But we see all kinds of divisions within her. African-American, Irish-American, Armenian-American....
We're all still Americans. The hyphen shouldn't matter.
But again there is always division.
And whether it be a nation or a country or a people, if they are divided they can not stand together.
Christ is one. And we are one with him. There are no more earthly traditions to keep us divided.
There is no day, that is more important to any other day. Because This DAY that we are living in belongs to the Lord if we are living in Him.
Peter had a hard time with this. God let down a sheet 3 times to explain the problem.
And 3 times Peter removed himself from eating with other identities. (I looked for the third, I know it's in Acts but I'm having trouble finding it)
Finally Paul had to confront him to make him understand that the traditions and the identity crisis was over.
Eph 2:14
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition
between us;
Eph 2:15
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity,
even the law of commandments
contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man,
so making peace;
Eph 2:16
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Eph 2:17
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 2:18
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner
stone;
Eph 2:21
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
When Jews keep the Sabbath day saturday, they are saying to the Gentiles, we are different and unless you come under our traditions and laws, you are not welcome here.
When Gentiles keep the Sabbath sunday, they are saying to the Jews, we are different and unless you come under our traditions and laws, you are not welcome here.
Jesus don't care what day you choose. It's about HIM. Not about You.
Hugs