COLOSSIANS 2:17

“things which are only a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.”

Shadows can be scary for some people. You can never tell what is lurking in those shadows, right? When I go hunting early in the morning or in the afternoon, I often am faced with lots of shadows. If I were the type to get scared easily, I probably would not go back out. But that is simply not the case. Shadows are only there as a result of light shining on something that is real. We have to stay focused on the light.

Paul uses this Greek word skia in relation to “what is to come.” Strong’s Lexicon describes it this way, “In the New Testament, ‘skia’ is used metaphorically to describe something that is a mere representation or foreshadowing of a greater reality. It often conveys the idea of an incomplete or temporary form that points to something more substantial or eternal.” You see, the “substance belongs to Christ,” as Paul says in today’s verse.

APPLICATION

All the laws and rules that were part of the Mosaic law were only a foreshadowing of the true substance. Look at two passages in Hebrews that discuss this skia. Hebrews 8:4-5a says, “4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things,” And over a couple of chapters in Hebrews 10, we see it again in verse 1. “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the form of those things itself, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually every year, make those who approach perfect.”

All of our worship here on earth is only a shadow of what is to come. One day, in heaven, we will know what true worship is. It’s kind of like we are just rehearsing down here. The real performance is yet to come. The big showdown is in the future. I can’t wait. I bet my tenor voice will be strong and clear in heaven.

Are you afraid of the shadows? Don’t be. Trust the truth, the real substance that is found in Christ. His light chases away all shadows. In James 1:17 we see this so clearly. “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” In Christ, there are no shadows, only light. Live in the light.

Thank You, Lord, for casting Your light upon me and chasing away all the shadows.