LAW'S SHADOW

THE LAW’S SHADOW

For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year to year, make perfect those who draw near.

Hebrews 10:1 (NASB)

I sat at the Well in the soft shadows of a new day. My brow was scrunched as I read. Somehow it always scrunches when I read Leviticus—something about all that blood from sacrificed animals and the fire of the altar that was to never go out and the priests who made constant intercession for the sins of the people and for themselves—for the priests also were mere men.

The people lived beneath the shadow of the Law which vividly pointed out their guilt. In reading Leviticus I am always struck by the absolute insatiable appetite of the Law which was never satisfied for no one could keep it. The Law revealed the depth of sin; it condemned and demanded endless sacrifice. There weren’t enough animals or blood to pay sins debt once for all.

As I read Leviticus 5, there was a phrase that appeared over and over again: “When they become aware of their sin.” And then, “When any of the people become aware of their guilt.” It is a hard thing indeed when one becomes aware of one’s own sin and guilt. I looked out at the coming dawn and wondered had I lived back then how many animals would have been sacrificed for me. I would have needed an entire ranch of animals. In fact, I’ll bet there would be businesses with people raising animals just for me. I could see the sign in my mind’s eye: ABE’S RANCH OF SACRIFICIAL ANIMALS FOR DIANA MORGAN and in small print: so much sin, not enough animals.

“Those were mere shadows of a better hope.”

His voice thundering in the quietness made me jump a bit.

“Good morning, Lord,” I said, thankful He had come.

We sat talking together. As we talked, the shadows became lower until they hung like fog about my heart. Then, as if He had been waiting for the clouds of the Law to settle in He invited me to walk with Him. As we walked He reminded me that He didn’t come to do away with the Law but to fulfill it. We walked through Bethlehem, and passed the hills of Galilee and a certain hill outside Jerusalem where the spotless Lamb of God had hung in my place. It was there the clouds seemed heaviest and I found myself standing at the foot of the cross..

I closed my eyes and thought I heard, “IT IS FINISHED!” thundering through time and suddenly it began to rain.

The drops were refreshing and my heart looked up at Him in wonder.

“It’s My grace being poured out.”

The grace drops continued to fall, drenching even the deepest recesses of my heart.

He met me then on the other side of the empty tomb and we continued our walk together. He reminded me of a place in Hebrews that spoke of Him: a better hope.

“(For the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:19

We arrived back at my favorite boulder nestled in a quiet corner of the yard and I sat down noting that the clouds had lifted and the sun had risen chasing away the shadows. I turned to say something but He had gone. His Book was open to Romans 5 and I picked it up and read out loud, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NASB)

I decided to take the words in Romans 5:8 and personalize them. You can do it too, if you like.

“Diana, God demonstrated His own love toward you, in that while you were yet a sinner, I died for you.”

“Oh! Thank You! Thank You! THANK YOU! My overflowing and grateful heart felt like dancing in the light of grace. The clock announced it was time to go and as I headed out the door to meet a world desperate for a better hope and in need of grace, I remembered Jeremiah’s words in Lamentations 3.

 This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.

Lamentations 3:21-25 (NASB)

An Original Conversations at the Well

© Copyright by Diana Morgan, February 17, 2013