Christ Preeminent

Deb_McKenThe last couple of days have been fairly busy. Early Friday morning (like 3 a.m.) Debbie headed to the airport for a Mother’s Day weekend trip to Atlanta. I was going to go with her, but my City Council retreat forced me to stay behind. I’m sure the grand kids in Atlanta will enjoy having “Ma” around by herself. Yesterday they took a tour of a new hospital where son-in-law Nathan’s uncle works. Four-year old McKenzie has to take her baby along for the trip.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:15-17 ESV

As Paul writes to the Colossians he provides a focus on the glory and majesty and work of Jesus Christ. At this time the Church was facing false and distorted teaching that would undermine the character and work of Christ as God in the flesh and Savior of the world.

Right from the beginning Paul jumps into a treatise of Jesus as the Messiah and eternal Son of God. He has just finished declaring what Christ has done for those who place their faith in Him,

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13,14 ESV)

But this act of redemption. This miracle of transformation and transference was not a “temporary” assignment. This was more than a man used by God. This was more than a teacher, inspired by God. This was God Himself, in human flesh, revealing God to us and bringing the kingdom of God into the kingdom of “this world.”

What is God like? Look at Jesus. “He is the image of the invisible God.” Jesus said, “You have seen me, you have seen the father.” (John 14:9) Jesus declared, “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) As God, Jesus is the the Eternal Son of God. He always has been and always will be. He has no beginning and He has no ending.

Paul declares Jesus as the agent of creation. “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth…”  Paul says that includes, “thrones and dominions.” When Jesus stood before Pilate He said, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above…” (John 19:11) Pilate thought he was in power by the authority granted by the Roman government. Jesus says, he was in power by an authority higher than the Roman government.

“All things were created by Him and for Him…” When we connect with that the truth, it can change the way we view our life. We are not cosmic accidents. We are those created by God for a purpose that He has destined for our life. We have meaning and significance when we live in that reality.

Finally, we see that Jesus provides stability. “…in him all things hold together.” In our world there is much fear and uncertainty. For some it is concerns over the environment. For others it is due to political unrest in our country or the tensions in the world political order.

When we find our lives rooted and ground in connection with Jesus, we have a firm place to stand. We can live life with confidence and in peace. The words of the old hymn remind us of this, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” 

Prayer for today…. Lord, open our spiritual eyes to see You and open our minds of understand who You truly are to us and for us. Come alive in our hearts and minds that we might discover the life that You have brought us into through Your death on the cross.