Paul gives us an awe-inspiring description of who Christ is in the next several verses. There’s a lot to chew on, but my attention was drawn to Jesus’ supremacy over creation.
He [Christ] existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see--such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
- Colossians 1:15b-17 NLT
Jesus, being God, existed before creation and was intimately involved. Paul tells us that God created everything through Jesus. He made everything seen and unseen, including the rulers and authorities on earth and in the heavenly realm. Not only was everything made through Christ, it was all made for Him. Jesus is the ultimate Lord of all.
Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. - Colossians 1:18 NLT
Just as Christ is over all creation, He is over His body, the church. When He rose from the dead, He made it possible for us to have life after death. He comes first in this as well. As Paul concludes this point, Jesus Christ is first in everything. He's #1.
I could stop here, because there's a lot to reflect on this week. But I have to back up to the end of verse 17, because it gives me a cool mental image.
And He holds all creation together. -- Colossians 1:17b
I’m so intrigued by this thought, that if Jesus weren’t holding us in His hand, all the molecules in everything would just fly apart and scatter. I’m not completely sure that’s completely accurate, but that’s the picture in my head when I ponder these words. It makes His creation seem so very intimate and yet incredibly powerful to me. And I see a spiritual application here as well. If I don’t allow Jesus His rightful place of first in my life and in my heart, all the pieces that I try so hard to hold together would just fly apart. I need Him holding me together so that I don’t fall apart.
Think About: Is Christ first in everything in your life?
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