In general, most children find shadows somewhat interesting. When a child looks across a nighttime room and shadows appear on the wall, the imagination stirs. The shadow begins to move and form within the mind’s eye. The shadow might be simply from a bunched bed sheet, but it can take on the form of a flower or a dragon. Much of how the shadow is perceived is based upon how it is interpreted.
Sometimes people think they see shadows when in fact there is a tangible object before them (Judges 9:36-37). In other cases, a shadow can be perceived as good or bad depending upon its movement (2 Kings 20:9-11). When we speak of shadows metaphorically, they may mean a brief time (1 Chronicles 29:15). Shadows can also be a sign of rest (Job 7:2). Of course, shadows may also refer to the netherworld (Job 10:21-22). In addition, shadows can hide things (Psalm 11:2). Shadows are also protective (Psalm 17:8). For some, shadows were thought to be a blessing (Acts 5:15). Shadows themselves are seen to be faint representations of the truth (Colossians 2:17). Finally, shadows are noted as representing things can easily change (James 1:17).
In light of this brief concordance study on shadows, what could we possibly mean when we say that as Christians we are to live in the shadow of the cross? First, we might want to define what we mean when we refer to the cross. For us it means the cross that Jesus was crucified on. But what does that mean? In short, in means that the Son of God gave up His own rights, gave up His entire being by allowing Himself to be crucified on a cross (Philippians 2:8). The cross itself has come down to us as a shadow of Christ’s nature. The cross is but a shadow of His suffering (Philippians 3:10), His humility (Philippians 2:8), His mercy (Ephesians 2:4), and His love (John 3:16). The cross, therefore, has come to represent Jesus’ attitude in life, Jesus’ submission to death, and in turn, Jesus’ victory over death.
The cross standing high over Calvary casts a strong, long, deep shadow. A shadow, that for those who walk in it, find life, love, and eternal joy. The shadow of the cross, when the Light is right, can be seen in the actions of the soul who chooses to live as Jesus lived. This is not an easy task.
Jesus said in John 8:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Some time ago many of us chose to follow Jesus. Something inside us saw the love of God in Jesus and we chose to give our lives to God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). At our baptism we made the commitment to love and to serve God as He has loved and served us through Jesus (1 John 3:16). We must remain faithful to our commitment, to our covenant relationship with Christ (Jude 21). There needs to be a willingness to follow Jesus not only in our baptism, but in all that we do for the rest of our lives (Revelation 2:10). This is done by watching our footsteps and treading within the shadow of the cross.
