Jesus of the Shadows: Part 4

Mike Criswell

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Ever tried making an “etching” of an old tombstone in art class? It might sound a bit strange or even a little spooky, but old graveyards are packed with interesting decorations that you can copy onto paper by rubbing a pencil over them. Watching the image on the stone slowly appear on paper as the pencil’s lead picks up the texture of the rough surface is pretty amazing. It’s a fun hobby that lots of people keep up with as they get older. 

I’ve seen videos of YouTubers wandering around cities and snapping photos of all sorts of things, from engraved building details to manhole covers. Some even turn their designs into clothes and sell them as a side gig.  

Although the illustration above may not directly relate to our discussion of Jesus, it connects in a relevant way. In recent weeks, we’ve explored how Jesus is foreshadowed in the Old Testament, examining numerous prophecies—historical predictions about His birth and ministry. Now, we will turn our attention to a different area called “typology.” 

While typology takes many forms, a straightforward way to understand it is that one thing's characteristics are reflected in another. For example, the tombstone or manhole cover is the “real” object, while the “etching” is simply a rough copy of the original. 

In biblical terms, we often refer to “type” and “antitype,” where the “type” symbolically foreshadows the “antitype,” which represents the fulfillment that occurs later. One example is the “sacrificed lamb” in the Old Testament, which serves as the “type” pointing to Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Jesus is the Lamb of God (John 1:29) and the “antitype.” 

In simple terms, grasping the Old Testament requires understanding its typological links. Many elements of the Old Covenant, though important, often foreshadow Jesus, the ultimate reality. For example, Jesus is not only the Lamb of God but also our High Priest and mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). He represents the Old Testament high priest, signifying his mediatorial role on our behalf.

Furthermore, Jesus fulfills other types: he is the “Second Adam,” offering spiritual renewal to humankind, and the new Moses, guiding spiritual Israel. He is the true manna from heaven, sustaining us with his body and blood (John 6). The array of typologies is extensive.

In our online study this Thursday, we’ll examine some Old Testament types that foreshadow Jesus. As we explore these divinely appointed symbols, Jesus will become clearer to us as the shadows of the past fade away.