Who Is Jesus?

If you interviewed people from around the world and asked them, “Who is Jesus?” what do you think they would say? The Bible has much to say in answer to that question. One concise poem (a first-century hymn, perhaps?) that is found in Colossians chapter 1 gives us powerful insights into who Jesus is.

Colossians 1:15-20
15  He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
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.
17  He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.
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.
19  For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him,
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.

1. He is God in the flesh. When He walked the earth, Jesus was the image of the invisible God (v15), because God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him (v19). Jesus was God in the flesh, the incarnate God.

2. He is Preeminent. Jesus is firstborn over all creation, which means that He is first-in-rank over all creation (v15). He is before all things (v17), and He is first place in everything (v18). Jesus is first. Here’s a good question: is He first place in your life?

3. He is Creator. As the the Second Person of the Triune God, Jesus is our Creator (v16). He created everything out of nothing! He created the earth, the galaxies, animals, fish, birds, plants, people, everything. And our Creator knows what is best for us. We take great comfort knowing we are in the hands of our strong, brilliant, loving Creator.

4. He is Sustainer. Not only did He create you, He also upholds you and sustains you every day of your life. He not only sustains you, but He sustains everything — He holds all things together (v17). He is big enough to hold all things together, and personal enough to hold you in the palm of His hand.

5. He is the Head of the Church. The head of the church worldwide is the Lord Jesus Himself (v18). By His Word and through His Spirit, He leads and guides. And He is the head of each local church. Let’s continually look to Him for guidance and direction.

6. He is the Beginning. As my friend says, “Jesus wasn’t at the beginning when the beginning began; He began the beginning.” (Try saying that 3 times real fast.) Jesus got all time started, He set things in motion. Not only is He the beginning of all things (v18), He is also the one who will end all things. And He knew the end from the beginning. Therefore we can trust Him as the events of time unfold.

7. He is the Firstborn from the Dead. Jesus died on a cross and was placed in a tomb. But on the third day, He rose from the dead! No person brought Him back to life. God resurrected Jesus from the dead. And as the firstborn from the dead (v18), He lives eternally. This guarantees eternal life for all who put their trust in Him. His physical resurrection is the guarantee of our eternal life in heaven with Him forever.

8. He is Reconciler. Because of our sin, we were enemies of God. We could not reconcile our relationship to God on our own. Jesus knew that. He lived a perfect life then willingly sacrificed His life for us on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. He bled and died that we could be forgiven and reconciled to God (vv19-20). Question: have you recognized that Jesus did this for you, have you repented of your sin, and have you trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If not, do that today!

So, who is Jesus to you?