[The Son] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: 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. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
(Colossians 1:15-17 NASB)
Have you ever written a tribute for someone? Might this exaltation of Jesus read like the Father’s tribute, through the Spirit, of His Son? This passage expounds the excelling excellencies of Jesus. And it presents His preeminence in everything (Colossians 1:18).
That Jesus is “firstborn of all creation” is translated elsewhere as “over all creation” (Colossians 1:15 NIV). Because firstborn is a title which speaks to His primacy and position, the use of “over” might aid our understanding better.
Since all of creation came to be through Jesus, The Supreme One, He is before all things. The Word of God is Creator, even of things beyond what we can see. All of creation, made through Him, has sacred purpose—for it was all created for Him.
The Creator is also Sustainer and Order Maintainer. It might feel like things are falling apart. That is partially true. Due to the curse from the fall, the mortal, temporal things are perishing. But they are still being held together, kept from imploding back into nothingness from whence they came. For God has a plan . . . and a timeline. So, the One with all-might, continues to hold the universe together. And if He can do that, He certainly can hold us together. He can hold relationships, families, and the Church together.
Even with all that might, He is also always merciful. And in that mercy, He is also the Reconciler—for He shed His blood to make peace. He has created a reconciled people for God. And reconciled that relationship between them and God.
What more does Paul say? He says that Jesus “is the image of God.” And that all God’s fullness dwells in Him (Colossians 1:19). He is filled full of all that is God!
Jesus “is the head over every power and authority” (Colossians 2:10). He is Lord of creation, Lord of recreation, Lord of heaven and earth. Lord of all!
Because of the supremacy of Jesus Christ, Paul urges to “continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel” (Colossians 1:23).
So, now that our journey to Easter has moved into New Testament territory, take some time today to consider the hope we have in the gospel in light of the preeminence of the Lord of the Gospel.
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