Today’s Road Map for the Journey: Colossians 1:15-17; John 1:1-3 ~ (soap: Col 1:16)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, 16 for all things in heaven and on earth were created in him—all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers—all things were created through him and for him.
17 He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him. ~ Colossians 1:15-17 NET
I have a friend whose father passed away many years ago. However, because two of his children (and some of their children) look and sound just like him Corky’s ‘image’ remains visible to me. As I was reading today’s passage, I thought of them and the clear resemblance of their features. I get the same type of comments from the nurses and residents at the senior living center where my mother lives: “You look so much like your mother” is part of at least one conversation or greeting every time I visit. While these similar traits and comments make me think of Paul’s declaration that Jesus “is the image of the invisible God”, there is a distinct difference. While I may look very much like my mother, unlike God, my mother was never invisible. Instead, my mom has a visible form that I resemble. Corky had a visible form that many in his family resemble. However, Paul writes that “Jesus is the image of the invisible God.” In other words, as Bibleref.com explains, “The unseen God became seen, in the form of Jesus.1“
Paul also describes Jesus in this passage as the “firstborn of all creation.” However, it is important to understand that this in no way means that Jesus was created. Jesus was, and is, and always will be. John wrote in John 1:1, “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” In John 10:30, Jesus Himself declares, “The Father and I are one.” A quick glance back at Genesis 1:1-2 reveals that: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” God was creating from the beginning, and as we have already been reminded, John wrote that Jesus was in the beginning with God. He went on to say in the verse that followed that “He/Jesus existed in the beginning with God.” This settles any question of Jesus being a created being. Paul makes it equally and dramatically clear in verses 16 and 17 of our passage today, where he writes: “for all things in heaven and on earth were created in Him ~ all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or power ~ all things were created through Him and for Him. He Himself is before all things, and all things are held together in Him.”
If He were created He would not be equal to the Father, nor would He be eternal.
Bibleref.com
Friends, in the beautifully poetic exaltation of Paul in Colossians 1:15-17, describing Jesus as Creator, we must not lose sight of this truth: Jesus created not only the sun, moon, and stars… He created us. As today’s LGG Journal entry rightly reminds us: “We were made for Jesus, not the world, your reputation, your relationship status, or your material possessions. You were made to know and worship the Creator.2
Reflection and Application
Love God Greatly’s journal entry for today concludes with this statement and two questions: “Everything was created in, through, and for Jesus. He is the only being worthy of our worship.”
- Is your mind captured with the greatness and beauty of Jesus?
- Do you worship Him?
Today’s Prayer
Lord Jesus, you made everything. You are in charge of all powers. Nothing happens without your permission. Help me to worship you in the way you alone deserve. Amen3
The More We Know
What does John 1:2 mean? by Bibleref.com
This continues to introduce Jesus, while countering false views of spirituality. John already described Jesus as the Logos, meaning “the Word,” of God (John 1:1). Jesus is a living message: a definition of God the Father. John also specifies that Jesus did not become God. Nor did He rise to the level of God. Jesus Christ has always been God, from the very beginning. John 1:1 states that the Word was God, not something separate from God.
This verse clarifies that this was true from the start. Jesus was not a created being, nor a separate being. He was, and is, God. This is a claim Jesus will make of Himself later in the gospel. In John 8:38, for instance, Jesus claims to speak what He has heard directly from the Father. Shortly after, in John 8:58, Jesus not only claims to have existed before Abraham, He refers to Himself using the name of God: “I am.” John will relate several of these “I am” statements in his book.
Me From the Inside Out 