STOP CHASING AFTER THE SHADOW
“So let no one judge you in food or drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17 NKJV)
There is a significant difference between a body and a shadow. A shadow is never as important as the body that casts it.
The Greek word “skia,” translated as “shadow” in the New Testament, was often used to express anything “imperfect or unsubstantial.”
But the Greek word “soma,” translated as “body,” was used in an opposite sense to express anything “substantial, solid, and firm” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary).
The word “shadow” means “a faint indication.” When used as a verb, it means “to represent vaguely, mysteriously, or prophetically” (New A.H. Dict.).
It is sheer foolishness for anyone to continue pursuing, following, holding unto, or clinging to the shadow when the body that casts the shadow is available or has manifested fully.
Jesus Christ is the body that casts all the Old Testament shadows!
The Scripture reveals that all the Mosaic dietary laws, regulations, offerings, rites, or ceremonies “are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Col. 2:17 NKJV).
The Mosaic law was not intended to be a means of salvation, but simply “our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” (Gal. 3:24-25 NKJV).
All the sacrifices or rituals of the Old Testament are not intended or designed by God to serve as a basis of having an intimate and loving relationship with Him or as a basis of earning God’s love, acceptance, or favor.
Instead, their ultimate purpose was simply to serve as a shadow, copy, or symbolic representation of spiritual realities about Jesus Christ and His redemptive work.
The Scripture amply testifies to this truth.
Hebrews 10:1-5 – NKJV
1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me.
Romans 10:4 – AMP
4 For Christ is the end of the Law [the limit at which it ceases to be, for the Law leads up to Him Who is the fulfillment of its types, and in Him the purpose which it was designed to accomplish is fulfilled. That is, the purpose of the Law is fulfilled in Him] as the means of righteousness (right relationship to God) for everyone who trusts in and adheres to and relies on Him.
Romans 10:4 – WEB
4 For Christ is the fulfillment {or, completion, or end} of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Romans 10:4 – TCNT
4 For Christ has brought Law to an end, so that righteousness may be obtained by every one who believes in him.
The religious folks in Jesus’ days missed God’s best for them because they continued to religiously cling to the Mosaic laws and rituals (the shadow) when Jesus Christ (the body), which casts the shadow, had manifested fully to them.
Despite the revelation of the grace of God that brings salvation to all men, yet many religious folks today are still pursuing, following, and observing the Old Testament laws and rituals as a means of righteousness or as a means obtaining God’s favor, approval, or salvation.
It is simply foolishness to keep chasing after the shadow when the body that casts the shadow is available and within your reach. The shadow is not a substitute for the body which casts it, but it is simply a representation of the body.
The shadow serves no good when the body which casts the shadow has appeared or manifested fully. Only a fool or mad person will leave you (the body) to chase after your shadow while you are physically and entirely present, available, or within his reach.
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This is what many believers today are doing. How sad!
Many people today who claim to be believers in Christ are still passionately striving to keep all or some of the Mosaic laws and rituals so that they may be righteous in God’s sight or have a loving and intimate relationship with God, or so that God may love, accept, favor, or bless them.
This is simply abandoning the body and chasing after its shadow!
This is nothing but foolishness!
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Paul warned the Christians at Colossae in his epistle not to allow anyone to judge them in food, drink, or regarding a festival which is just a shadow of things to come.
Colossians 2:16-17 – NKJV
16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,
17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Unlike Paul, unfortunately, many servants of God today are not presenting and exalting Jesus Christ as the body or the substance which casts all the Old Testament shadows to the people.
Therefore, many believers today are still striving in vain to please God or earn God’s love, acceptance, favor, or blessing through their self-righteousness, performance, or works of the law.
It is sad but true that many people in our churches today are entirely immersed in religious rules and rituals, but without any personal, intimate, and loving relationship with God through faith alone in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ.
Friend, when you are striving to keep all or some of the Mosaic laws to be righteous in God’s sight, to please God, or to earn God’s love, acceptance, favor, or blessing; you are simply chasing after the shadow and not the body, which is Jesus Christ.
In these days of apostasy, it is vital for you always to ensure that you are clinging or holding fast unto the substance of your faith, Jesus Christ, and not merely to a shadow – any religious laws, rules, or rituals.
Colossians 2:18-19 – NKJV
18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
Be watchful that no one deceives you into chasing after or clinging to any shadow – the Old Testament laws, rules, sacrifices, or rites as a means of salvation.
Galatians 5:1 – NKJV
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
Colossians 2:20-22 – NKJV
20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations–
21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,”
22 which all concern things which perish with the using–according to the commandments and doctrines of men?
Beloved, it profits absolutely nothing to neglect the body or substance (the Lord Jesus Christ) and cling to His shadow (the Old Testament laws, sacrifices, or rituals) as a basis of having a relationship with God.
Embrace today and cling to the Lord Jesus Christ (the grace of God) that brings salvation to all men.
Stop chasing after the shadow!
Prayer: My Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for opening my eyes of understanding today to recognize Jesus Christ as the body or the substance which casts all the Old Testament shadows. My Dear Holy Spirit, teach and help me to hold fast unto Jesus Christ to the very end, in Jesus’ name.
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Amen.