A note from our Pastor’s Desk:

“Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”

Colossians 2:17

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

The Apostle Paul often created legal arguments to explain the doctrine of Jesus Christ. However, he also proficiently used analogies to teach core concepts. His use of figurative language was at times culturally unique. In other cases, the metaphors and analogies rely on observable phenomena across generations. The latter is the case with our study verse this week.

A person creating a shadow is the foundation of the analogy used in this verse. The disciple’s understanding of the verse relies on correctly interpreting the shadow and the person. The Apostle provides a clear explanation that the person creating the shadow is Jesus Christ. Therefore, let us consider what the shadow in this verse was.

Eternal salvation is the result of God choosing his people before time began and Jesus Christ completing the legal work on the cross. This truth existed when Adam and Eve were created and will exist until the end of time. No other process existed in the Old Testament era. The only sacrifice that could complete the work of eternal salvation was the death of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle addressed this same concept in writing the letter to the Hebrews. In Hebrews 10:1, he stated, “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.”

The point the Apostle was making in both our study verse and in Colossians 10:1 is that the sacrifices, feasts, and other elements practiced in the Old Testament were just the shadow of Jesus Christ. The power of salvation resides in Jesus Christ. 

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah