This week’s devotions are based on this week’s message: Shadows: A Glimpse of a Substitute! (WATCH HERE)
When I was in grade school, I remember having a sleep over at my friend’s house. I was old enough to be OK overnight a friend’s house, but young enough to be a little on edge about being in a strange place at night. As the light’s were shut off, I remember looking out the window and was convinced there was someone outside eating a peanut butter sandwich. In the morning I told my friend and we laughed because the reality was it was just a tree casting a shadow that my mind turned into a scary person eating a sandwich.
Shadows are not realities, but create an image that we form into what the reality is. A shadow doesn’t exist in a vacuum, but rather is the result of some reality…you just can’t see that reality. When you see a shadow, you have guesses as to what the reality is, but only when you see the reality can you fully understand the shadows that were cast.
God used shadows in the Old Testament to cast an image of his Son Jesus and his saving work. All the events of the Old Testament move history toward Jesus. Some events were very specifically initiated to give people a little glimpse of the Messiah, Jesus, who was to come.
The interesting thing about a shadow is that once you see the reality of what causes the shadow, you no longer focus on the shadow, but on the reality.
The Apostle Paul was inspired to give this insight in Colossians 2:16-17:
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
The religious festivals (Passover, Day of Atonement, etc.) along with monthly celebrations and weekly Sabbath Days were not the reality themselves, but rather pointed to the reality. Paul was saying, don’t get stuck on the shadow when you have the reality right in front of you.
The interesting thing about seeing the reality, you now look back and see what was causing the shadow. The branches of the tree made the shape of the man eating a sandwich, the events of Jesus life give definition to the activities of the Old Testament.
For example, the Sabbath day was a weekly occurrence for years. However, just observing the Sabbath was not the main thing. Finding rest in Jesus was the ultimate reality. Unfortunately many had become obsessed with the fine points of Sabbath law that they missed finding rest in the love, grace and forgiveness of Jesus.
Mark 2:27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Look forward to this series as we see more clearly the reality of Jesus through the shadows he cast in the Old Testament…this week, the shadow of the substitute.
Apply: How have you seen shadows of Jesus in the Old Testament?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for casting shadows in the Old Testament that give greater insight into the reality of who you are and all you came to do! AMEN.