Our faith in God is placed firmly on the person of Jesus Christ.
In the first chapter of Colossians, we read a hymn declaring who Jesus is. As we think deeply about this passage of Scripture and the truths that are declared, we find strength to endure difficulties, we find purpose and beauty in our existence, and we find hope for the future.
1. Jesus is God-in-the-flesh.
Have you every wondered what God would be like if you met Him in person? What would He enjoy doing? Where would He go? What would He say? You don’t have to wonder. Jesus was God-in-the-flesh.
Colossians 1:15 (HCSB)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
God is invisible so we cannot see Him. But He loves us too much to stay hidden from us. He came to earth in the form of His Son, Jesus. This should inspire us to read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John with eyes wide open to learn about Him, to follow His example, to love Him.
2. Jesus is Preeminent (first in rank) over all creation.
Colossians 1:15 (HCSB)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Jesus has eternally existed as the Second Person of the Trinity, the eternal Son of God. He is above all created beings, over all creation. In the original language, the word translated “firstborn” can mean either “first in order” or “first in rank.” Because we know that Jesus is the Creator of all things (see below), He obviously cannot be one of the created beings. The meaning of this phrase is clear, then. We acknowledge that He is Preeminent, He is First. We should put Him as first place in our lives in everything, and worship Him alone.
3. Jesus is our Creator.
Colossians 1:16 (HCSB)
16 For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through Him and for Him.
John 1:1-3 (HCSB)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.
John 1:10-14 (HCSB)
10 He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. 12 But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. 14 The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Because He is your Creator, you can be at peace with how He has made you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (see Psalm 139). He has great plans for your life. Trust Him. Look to Him. Follow Him. Let Him continue to make you into the person He wants you to be.
4. Jesus is our Sustainer.
Life can be extremely difficult and painful at times. We live in a fallen world. We experience problems, heartaches, disappointments, and loss. Where can you go for help? Go to Jesus. He will sustain you.
Colossians 1:17 (HCSB)
17 He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.
Jesus holds all things together. I know sometimes it may seem that life is out of control. But it is not. Jesus is literally and spiritually holding all things together. If He can hold the universe together, He can sustain you.
The book of Job chapters 38 and 39 are two of the greatest chapters in all the Bible declaring that God is the sovereign, all-powerful, ever-present sustainer of creation, of the universe, and of our lives.Click HERE to read those chapters. Good stuff!
5. Jesus is the Head of the church.
Colossians 1:18 (HCSB)
18 He is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything.
When a church has questions, look to Jesus for answers. When a church needs guidance, look to Jesus for direction. When a church needs wisdom, look to the one who knows everything. Jesus is the head of the church, and that applies to each local church and to all of the Christians throughout the world. He is the head, not any person, group or denomination. Jesus is the head of the church.
6. Jesus is the Firstborn from the dead.
Colossians 1:18 (HCSB)
18 He is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything.
Jesus is alive. He was crucified and buried, but on the third day He came back to life! Since Jesus conquered death, hell and the grave, you have nothing to fear if you have put your trust in Him. His resurrection from the dead guarantees your eternal life with the Lord in heaven. This is truly good news to all who believe!
7. Jesus is the Fullness of God.
He is the image of the invisible God (v15). Jesus is fully God!
Colossians 1:19 (HCSB)
19 For God was pleased ⌊to have⌋ all His fullness dwell in Him,
8. Jesus is the One who can Reconcile us to God.
Colossians 1:20-23 (HCSB)
20 and through Him to reconcile everything to Himself by making peace through the blood of His cross— whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21 Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds because of your evil actions. 22 But now He has reconciled you by His physical body through His death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him— 23 if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. ⌊This gospel⌋ has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it.
Reconciling is all about setting things back right, the way that they should be. In order. Restored. At peace. Jesus is the only One who can reconcile a person back to God. His blood poured out on the cross was the payment for sin. Praise God that Jesus makes us holy, faultless and blameless before God. A person who has been reconciled to God will continue with a steadfast hope in Christ.
RESPONSE
Take a moment to review the eight (8) aspects of Jesus that are discussed in this post. Which of them is most meaningful to you right now? Take a moment to pray, thanking Jesus for being who He is in your life. Take a moment just to thank Him for who He is.