Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

The first chapter of Colossians effectively squashes any nonsense about Jesus simply being some great teacher or just one of several religious super-men in the history of world religion. In Colossians chapter 1 verses 13-18 we find the following claims about Jesus:

• Colossians 1:13 The kingdom of heaven belongs to Jesus
• Colossians 1:14 Our redemption and forgiveness of sin is found only in Jesus
• Colossians 1:15 He is the exact likeness of God and the first in importance in all creation
• Colossians 1:16 All things were created by Jesus and for Jesus
• Colossians 1:17 Jesus existed before all things; and all things that exist are held together by Him
• Colossians 1:18 Jesus is the Head of the Church and the first to conquer death

Now, that leaves only two choices… Jesus really is all those things, or the Bible is full of lies and the whole thing should be thrown out. So the next time you are confronted with some smug silliness about how Jesus was one of several great religious figures but nothing more, direct the discussion to Colossians chapter 1. If Jesus is not God, Creator and Lord, then Christianity is a waste of time, and a lie.

Let’s look at some more things that are true about Christ…

Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, (NKJV)

It pleases God…. ever thought about that? The “pleasure of God” is the answer to a lot of “why?” questions (Ephesians 1.5-9; Philippians 2.13) It pleases God that “all the fullness” should dwell in Jesus. What is “all the fullness”?

It is a reference to Christ’s complete humanity coexisting with His complete Godhood. He was 100% man and 100% God at the same time. At the time Colossians was written (around A.D. 60) there were already cults and false teachers to deal with. Some of them were teaching that Christ was less than God and that His humanity was somehow separate from His Godhood.

So the Apostle Paul was killing that notion by stating simply and conclusively that “all the fullness” dwelled in Christ; and on top of that, it “pleased the Father” which means not only was this fact true, it was true because God wanted it to be true. (another reason why it is silly to refer to Jesus as simply a “great teacher”)

Colossians 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. (NKJV)

Colossians 1:20 is a big bite of theology. It’s important to understand what “reconcile” means… it is the Greek word katallagē, which speaks of a new relationship between two parties who were formerly at odds, or enemies. Who or what needs to be reconciled? Everything that is against God whether “things on earth or things in heaven”. Satan and sin have all creation at odds with Christ by whom all things in creation exist and consist (Colossians 1:15-16).

The verse says “all things” will be reconciled which has been used by some to defend “universalism”, the idea that all people will ultimately be saved and spend eternity with God. Well, a thousand other Scriptures render that idea preposterous, so what does “all things” mean? There are two ideas to consider: 1) that all creation will, eventually, submit and admit who Jesus Christ really is, thus elevating Jesus to His rightful place as Lord and Master ( Philippians 2.10); and 2) that when all is said and done, there will be nothing at odds with Jesus ever again in the new creation or heaven.

When all is done, creation will be at peace with Christ.

How is it possible to reconcile with Christ? Well, like usual, Jesus Himself provides the answer; in fact, He alone could make reconciliation possible. How? Through His own shed blood on the cross. His blood alone could pay our penalty for sin. His blood alone conquered the power of death. The blood of Jesus Christ will ultimately bring peace, to “things on earth or things in heaven”! Hallelujah!!! May that day come soon!

So what does reconciliation mean to us as we live our life day to day?

Colossians 1:21-22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— (NKJV)

It means that we no longer have to be God’s enemy, trapped in our wickedness and sin. Our relationship has been changed through Christ (reconciliation) and by having the righteousness of Christ credited to us (imputation) God now sees each Believer holy, blameless and beyond reproach (justification).

Or more simply put, God no longer sees you as the wicked sinner you are, but because of the blood of Christ, God sees you as perfect… like Jesus.

Are you starting to see why Jesus Christ is the center of all things?

Lord, Help us to realize that Jesus is the center of all things. May we elevate Him to His rightful place in our lives. Thank you that we are no longer Your enemy because Jesus shed His blood to restore our relationship with You. In Jesus Name, Amen.