THE SUBSTANCE THAT CAST THE SHADOW

“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices, there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”  Hebrews 10:1-4

A shadow is not the substance itself, but rather an outline or image cast by something approaching. The High Priest and their offerings were foreshadows of the good things that were to come. Since they were a representation of what was to come, they only served a temporary purpose. The same sacrifices had to be made repeatedly, year after year. The shadow could never bring perfection. Had the shadow been able to achieve perfection, there would have been no need for the repeated offerings, in that those cleansed would have no further consciousness of sin. However, the continuing sacrifices served as a reminder that they were not the ultimate solution. They were a temporary remedy for a fatal verdict. It was never the intention for the blood of bulls and goats to erase sins. For true reconciliation, what was lost had to be restored. Imperfect men offering imperfect sacrifices resulted in imperfection.

In Hebrews 7:22, the writer describes Jesus as a surety or guarantor of a better covenant. In principle, He is the guarantee or assurance of something greater.

Consider Hebrews 7:23-28 “Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore, He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens, who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the peoples, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests’ men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.” 

The priests under the Old Law were mere men who would eventually die, needing successors to take their place and continue the work. This cycle repeated until they passed, and another would succeed them. Jesus, however, was different. He was not merely a shadow; He was the substance, the one casting the shadow, making Him reality. He was the one who came and now holds this office eternally because He lives forever. This truth enables Him to save those who draw near to God through him in the most complete way. He stands to intercede for us. He mediates between man and GOD to prevent a particular outcome. The consequence of sin is death. Jesus acts as the mediator between us and God to prevent the outcome of death that sin brings. The precious blood of Jesus was shed for our sins. An innocent man bled to death, paying the price for redemption—a price too steep for us to bear. Enslaved by sin, it was Jesus who paid our ransom, setting us free from its control. This act of salvation was a gift from God to humanity, the greatest gift of all.