“Since the law has only a shadow of the good things to come, and not the actual form of those realities, it can never perfect the worshipers by the same sacrifices they continually offer year after year.”
When I was young, I used to pretend my shadow was a friend; a friend who looked very much like me except without definition — without facial features or voice or action of its own. Not only this, but my shadow was completely dependent upon a light source being behind me. Otherwise it would not cast itself before me.
God’s law is “not the actual form” ” of the good things to come” but only a shadow of them. Because the law is only a shadow, “it can never perfect the worshipers” who offer sacrifices “year after year.” “In the 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 10:3-4)
God isn’t interested in “sacrifice and offering.” He “does not delight in whole burnt offerings and sin offerings.” (Hebrews 10:5,6) Instead, God sends His own Son so that we “are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10) “This man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sits down at the right hand of God. (Hebrews 10:12) “For by one offering He perfects forever those who are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14)
God declares, “I never again remember their sins.” (Hebrews 10:17) Don’t forget: “Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.” (Hebrews 10:18)
Like our shadows, the law is a featureless reflection of the good things to come.
Grace Partakers 