Colossians 1:15-23 gives us a great description of Jesus. It shows just how great and supreme Jesus is.
Two verses from this passage that should either comfort us or produce fear in us are verses 16 and 18. In verse 16 we see that Jesus is a creator. Verse 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. Even the thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities were created through Him and for Him!
Verse 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.
This verse tells us the church is also part of what was created by Him and for Him. Not only was the church created for Jesus, but Jesus has also decided that He will be the head of the church. This is a sobering thought. It gives a sense of obligation to make sure we are following Him.
It also provides us with encouragement that it is His church that He oversees. He can choose to build it up or tear it down; He can choose to bless it or discard it. No matter what He chooses, He is in control of it. We are responsible for ensuring that we are following Him because He is the great Creator.
Lastly, Jesus was someone in whom “all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell” (verse 19).
The question is: Are we as a church the same? Are we as individuals the same? Are we recognising Him as the Head and the Creator of the church?
Two verses from this passage that should either comfort us or produce fear in us are verses 16 and 18. In verse 16 we see that Jesus is a creator. Verse 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. Even the thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities were created through Him and for Him!
Verse 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.
This verse tells us the church is also part of what was created by Him and for Him. Not only was the church created for Jesus, but Jesus has also decided that He will be the head of the church. This is a sobering thought. It gives a sense of obligation to make sure we are following Him.
It also provides us with encouragement that it is His church that He oversees. He can choose to build it up or tear it down; He can choose to bless it or discard it. No matter what He chooses, He is in control of it. We are responsible for ensuring that we are following Him because He is the great Creator.
Lastly, Jesus was someone in whom “all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell” (verse 19).
The question is: Are we as a church the same? Are we as individuals the same? Are we recognising Him as the Head and the Creator of the church?
Samuel Louwrens