Lets start by looking at the text in question, which is Colossians 2:16-17. It’s important to keep in mind that Colossians was written to Greek converts who were living in a pagan culture.
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Messiah.” (Colossians 2:16-17)
This is an interesting visual aid that Paul uses here to describe these things. He says they are a shadow of the Messiah. A person’s shadow always goes with you. Sometimes it follows you, and sometimes it precedes you, but it is always right there with you. You can’t go anywhere without your shadow, and likewise your shadow can’t go anywhere without you.
Also, Paul says they are a shadow of things to come. This means the shadow precedes the Messiah. They are prophetic shadows that help to reveal the plans of Yahweh. The shadow of Messiah lets us know what Messiah is going to do.
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