Today we cover one of the most wonderful passages in the Bible – Colossians 1:15-19. These sentences contain extraordinary, exalted language about our Jesus.
- He is the image of the invisible God.
- He is the firstborn of all creation.
- All things were made by, through and for him.
- In Him all things hold together.
- He is the head of the body, the church.
- He is the firstborn from the dead.
Meditating for just a few minutes on these statements can fill our hearts with wonder and worship.
- Jesus is supreme in his relationship with the creator. (15)
- He is supreme in his relationship with the creation. (16-17)
- He is supreme in his relationship with the new creation. (18-19)
In the context of the letter these realities serve a specific purpose for Paul.
Verses 13-14 and 20 bookend this revelation of who Christ is. They describe what is accomplished through him – deliverance, redemption, reconciliation and peace.
What’s the connection?
Because Jesus is supreme in this universe, he is sufficient in our salvation.
In the words of Dick Lucas, “how strange if he who is sufficient to sustain a universe, should be insufficient in power for the little church at Colossae!”
Indeed.
Friends, our little church is the body of Christ – the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:23) May our eyes be opened to see the glory of Jesus in our midst!
This is our Lord – supreme, sufficient and pre-eminent!
Tom Brown is the planting pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Wichita. Tom and his wife, Mandy, have worked together in ministry for over 20 years and have four children. More about Pastor Tom Brown