I recently read the book of Colossians and would like to share some thoughts about Jesus based on chapter 1, verses 15-20.
Here is one of the most stunning descriptions of the Lord Jesus Christ in all of Scripture:
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 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. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)
Jesus asked the apostles, “Who do you say I am?” Peter responded with these words: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16).
In Colossians 1:15-20 we read how Paul answers the most important question ever asked:
Who is Jesus?
As the image of the invisible God and the dwelling place of all the fullness of God, Jesus is God.
Since all things were created by Jesus and through Jesus, He is the Creator of everything in the universe, both seen and unseen.
Because all things hold together in Jesus, He is the Sustainer and Maintainer of all that exists. All energy originates from Him. Every hurricane, tornado, earthquake, and flood is His doing, for Jesus controls the weather 24/7 – every drop of rain, every ray of sunshine, every stirring of a gentle breeze.
As the head of the church, Jesus is the supreme authority and Judge of His people. We answer to Jesus and are held accountable to Him for everything we think, say, and do. Every idle thought, every careless word, and every unintended action will one day be evaluated by Jesus, “For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Yes, “the Father has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son” (John 5:23-24).
The purpose of everything that happens is found in Jesus because all things were created for Him and have as their ultimate goal His preeminence. Everything was made for the glory of Jesus. He is the reason that everything exists. Without Jesus, there is no meaning to anything and we remain the hopeless recipients of “the futile ways inherited from [our] forefathers” (1 Peter 1:18).
And because of what Jesus did on the cross, there is hope of reconciliation and redemption for the estranged and guilty prisoners who inhabit this planet. Only through the death of Jesus can enslaved transgressors find peace with their Maker, for His blood is the payment of the price that purchases our freedom from the bondage of sin. “We have redemption” in Him, and only in Him (Colossians 1:14). This is why the 24 elders sing a new song before Jesus the Lamb,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
Revelation 5:9-10
This is who Jesus is. This is what Jesus did. This is what Jesus will do for us, should we humble ourselves before Him and embrace Him with faith as our God, Creator, Redeemer, Reconciler, and Peace-Maker.
Who is Jesus? Jesus is breathtaking. Does He take your breath away?
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