What Does Your Shadow Represent?

Acts 5:14-16
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitude both men and women. Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

This is an amazing story about how things can get twisted. Peter had been preaching and through the power of the Holy spirit many signs and wonders had been done. A crowd was gathering just because of word of mouth. From all over the region the word had spread that great things were being done in Jerusalem. Believers were the more added to the Lord. Some how the word got out that Peter was so powerful that if just his shadow passed over the sick they would be healed. How did his shadow get so powerful all of a sudden? Man’s imagination and satan’s lies once again trying to take the glory away from God.
Peter the Apostle is the object in our passage whose shadow has developed the ability to heal. I’m sure Peter was not happy about this imagined power the people had given to his shadow. Everything Peter did he did in Jesus’ name. The subtle warning for us in this is to make sure we focus on the source (Jesus) not just the image. Our tendency can be to give power or find meaning in the wrong thing, in this case Peter's shadow. The people had mistakenly transformed Peter's words ("In the name of Jesus") into faith in his shadow. As a Christian we must always be cautious to humbly point to Jesus, so our works in His Name do not become "our" works alone. Keep in mind a shadow is only formed when one stands in front of the light. Without light there can be no shadow. Shadows are not magical and are only an image of the one who is standing in front of the light.

As I read our passage today, I couldn't help think about what my shadow represents to others. It is non-existent if there is no light source? Do people see Jesus in my shadow? For He is the light of the world. In John 1:6-8 we see, “There was a man sent from God whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all men through him might believe. He was not the Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”
If we stand in the Light of Jesus Christ we will cast a shadow. But it is not what is behind us that is important it is what people see in the light. Does the world see Jesus when they look at you? Does the light of Jesus show in your face and does it draw all men to Him? Will believers be added to the Lord because of what they see when they look at you?