1The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
Do you remember playing the game when you were a kid that involved trying to step on the other person’s shadow? I can’t remember the dire consequences when the inevitable step took place, but I am sure I suffered those consequences. We would run around, especially at the bus stop or the play ground, and try to step on each other’s shadows. It was great fun, innocent fun. We got exercise and no one got hurt in the process. That is because shadows are not the person themselves. The shadows exist only because the sun exercises greater power over any other light source. The sun’s power makes all other light sources seem insignificant. Of course in the middle of the night, I don’t want the sun, I just want a nightlight. Playing the game at the beginning or end of the day proved especially challenging to the one attempting to not have their shadowed assaulted. Those long shadows were very difficult to protect. Movement was the only defense. Shadows don’t show all the details of the object casting the shadow. They only show the outline of the real object. The law simply showed the outline of what holy living and godly character looks like. It was a glimpse in a particular culture and at a specific time in God’s redemptive plan. It was meant to show that there was a reality that should be pursued. It was given to draw people closer to the One casting the shadow, God Himself. When they could not fulfill the requirements of the Law, they needed to come to God with a broken and humble heart. Then the purposes of the Law were fulfilled. But holding on to the shadow, an outline of the reality, does not make sense. The shadow can never do what the object casting the shadow was designed to do. In fact, you can never truly grasp a shadow. So, grab onto the reality that is, rather than a shadow of something already worn out.
The Arnold Journey 