Have you ever made shadow puppets? It’s easy to create a shadow resembling a duck, rabbit, dove, or swan. Young children find this skill entertaining and fascinating. If they tried to cuddle that duck or rabbit, however, they’d be sorely disappointed, realizing the puppeteer used only hands and not actual animals.
The Old Testament is full of shadows as well, symbols and types that spiritually represent a New Testament reality.
Some famous individuals point to Christ. Melchizedek foreshadows Jesus, our High Priest. Moses represents the deliverer/Savior who was to come. King David symbolizes Christ as our loving and benevolent King. We learn from their examples, yet we don’t worship Melchizedek, Moses, or David. They were mere shadows.
Physical objects also typify New Testament truths. Noah’s ark represents our salvation. The pillars of cloud by day and fire by night during Israel’s wilderness wandering point to Emmanuel, who will never leave us or forsake us. And the bronze serpent Moses told the Israelites to look to for healing from poisonous snake bites symbolizes Christ, our healer. But we don’t look for pillars of cloud or stare at bronze serpents today. Those were for ancient Israel, not for us.
Even Old Testament events and celebrations foreshadow things to come. Israel’s crossing of the Jordan river, after forty years in the desert, symbolizes our crossing over from spiritual death to life. The Year of Jubilee, which God intended Israel to observe every fifty years—when all debts were to be forgiven and slaves set free—signifies Christ freeing us from slavery to sin. And Passover, when the angel of death passed over the Hebrews’ homes, reveals Jesus as the spotless lamb, whose blood was shed for the remission of sin, freeing us from eternal death. Yet we don’t need to ford rivers or smear blood over our doors in order to enjoy new life in Christ.
What Christ died to give us is so much greater than these representations. While it’s good to understand the types and symbols, it’s unnecessary for Christians to re-enact or celebrate Jewish traditions. We don’t need to participate in a Passover seder, for example, to get closer to God. Christ the Messiah is the fulfillment of that ritual, and it was during Passover that He instituted a new covenant. At that point He instructed us to remember Him through communion. 
Some Gentile believers contend that Christians aren’t complete without embracing their “Jewish roots.” And while they may find meaning in and appreciate Jewish traditions, some become so enamored with these shadows that they are distracted from their in-Christ reality.
That’s as silly as a married woman sentimentally recounting the days of engagement with her husband. Imagine her saying, “Honey, those times were so fun. Let’s relive them. I’ll move back in with my parents and you go home to yours. I want to experience those days again!” No!
This Easter/Resurrection Sunday is a time to focus on Jesus Himself, not the symbols. He came, died, and rose again, completing the work of redemption. Let’s focus on newness of life.
A shadow is never as good as the real thing!
Love this!