Colossians 1.15-20
Christ is over the creation (verses 15-17).
Image
Christ is the revelation of God. The perfect manifestation of the invisible God. The exact, visible representation and representative of God. He illuminates God's essence and reveals:
Who God is – The Creator and Redeemer
What He is like – Wise, merciful, and loving
What He is up to – Rescuing and reconciling His people first and then restoring His creation
Firstborn
A metaphor for preeminence.
In Him - There is no other creative source.
Through Him - Points to His activity at the beginning of creation. There is no other creative force.
For Him - Points to the end. He is the reason and the goal of all creation.
Before/Hold Together
Creation is what he did before time.
He is now personally holding everything together... sustaining the universe.
Creation is not self-sufficient. Nor are the living beings contained therein. We exist and continue to exist solely and exclusively because of Christ.
Christ is over the new creation (verses 18-20).
Head
When Paul uses the word church he typically speaks of a local body of believers participating in a corporate lifestyle of interdependence… a loving dependence upon and deference to one another.
But here the focus is completely different. Instead of a local church, Paul is speaking of the entire, or universal, Church. The Church is dependent upon her head. The focus here is on the Lordship of Christ.
Beginning/Firstborn
Christ is the founder and first of a new and resurrected humanity. The Resurrection introduced the power of the age to come into the current age in a single and amazing act of both awesome power and amazing grace.
Fullness
God has chosen to dwell fully and permanently in Christ. God's Spirit, word, wisdom and glory are fully and perfectly displayed in Christ. All that can be known and experienced of God is found in Christ.
Reconcile/Peace
Creation is no longer in a proper relationship to its Creator. Relational reconciliation and redemption for humanity and restoration and renewal for the universe is now possible because of Christ and His Cross.
Paradise was lost but will be regained. Reborn humanity and renewed physical creation will fulfill their intended destiny and will be at peace. But for God's enemies, it is a forced peace. A forced submission that has been brought about by the triumphant victor and champion – Christ.
Thoughts for this week
Let's be lost in awe and wonder, more amazed and grateful that He loved us first, and let's grow in trusting the Lord of the universe Who is also the Suffering Servant and our Savior.
How did this text affect your view of God?
How did this test affect your view of the Church?
How did this text affect your ability to trust God?
