More, More About Jesus: Colossians 1:15-20
“15) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16) For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and 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 in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19) For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20) and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:15-20
We now examine several more qualities about Christ from this context. Then, I will conclude in the next post with a full list of all the attributes of Christ from this context. Sometimes seeing a list has more impact.
We pick up from the last post with verse 17; “He is before all things.” Scholars usually assign the word “pre-eminent” to this quality. It means “He is absolutely number one.” He has no rival and He has no equal. Nobody and nothing even comes close to comparing to Him. He is in a category all of His own.
Then it says; “in Him all things hold together.” This means He is the “Sustainer.” He hold the atoms together, the laws of physics, galaxies, the dynamics of our solar system so we can set our watch by it, gravity, the seasons and every persons heart beat. We have no need to panic over the dim predictions of the prophets of doom of a meteorite potentially colliding with earth… Jesus watches over it all and nothing happens outside of His Sovereignty. He watches over and sustains the created realm.
By the way, when Jesus was crucified, the earth shook, rocks were slit in two, it became dark and tombs were open. (Matthew 27:45-54) Why? The Sustainer temporarily stepped out of His role! Without Jesus Christ in His role of Sustainer, chaos would shortly take over the physical realm.
Verse 18 then says; “He is head of the body, the church.” What does that mean? Well, it means He is the highest religious and ecclesiastical authority. He is above Mohammad, Buddha, the Pope, every religious leader, every idol, angel, demon, prophet, pastor, teacher or preacher. In John 10:8 Jesus proclaimed that all who came before Him were thieves and robbers. Acts 4:10-12 says that there is salvation in no other name under heaven. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He is the only way to the Father. (See John 14:1-6)
Then Colossians 1:8 says; “He is the beginning!” He started it all. He was the originator or catalyst for all things. Genesis 1:1, John 1:1, and 1 John 1:1 all point to Jesus as the beginning. Revelation chapter one says He is the Alpha and Omega, and the first and the last. In other words, Jesus is the beginning and the end and everything in between.
Verse 18 then goes on to say; “He is the first born from the dead.” Some argue that others like Lazarus experienced a resurrection. Yes, but only Jesus was given a glorified body. 1 John 3:1-3 says that one day we will see Him in His resurrected and glorified body and will be like Him. According to 1 Corinthians 15:42-58, amazing things are coming when we put on our new bodies. We will in some mysterious way be like Jesus.
Verse 18 closes by saying; “so that He Himself Might Come to have first place in everything.” How can I explain this? It means that He will become absolutely #1. All false gods will be put down, all pride from others will be debased, all false religions will be disposed of and the devil and his angels will be thrown into the lake of fire. In the end, Jesus Christ alone will be left standing.
We now need to take a look at Colossians 1:19; “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,” This means He is Deity! Compare this to Colossians 2:9. Jesus Christ is God. I cannot explain the Trinity, but the concept is taught from Genesis to Revelation. It means “One God consisting of three coequal and indistinguishable persons of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” Paul comes to the conclusion that all the fullness of God dwells in Jesus Christ in bodily form. He is the revelation and manifestation of God to the physical realm.
Sorry this was so abbreviated, but space hinders me. Ponder these verses carefully. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the fullness of Jesus Christ to your understanding. Consider the personal implications of each attribute of Jesus mentioned in this text of Scripture. For example, “if Jesus is the Sustainer, I have no reason for fear or hysteria over potential catastrophe. Jesus is in control! He will work all things together for good!” Above all… seek Him!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
