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, 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. 17. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 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. 19. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20. and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.
The word preeminent in the American Heritage dictionary means: Superior to or notable above all others. Does this give just reverence to the preeminent one? When I speak of Jesus, the name above all names, I believe I have done so many times without even considering the truth behind that statement. I have only caught a glimpse of the holiness of God. I have always sought a high view of God and yet still cannot fully comprehend the depths of His holiness. Colossians jumps out in that it gives a picture of the glory in Christ. Here we look at Hebrews 1:1-3 as well to solidify again the bibles description of the Lord Jesus.
Hebrews 1:1-3
1. Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2. but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. 3. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Jesus Christ, holy lamb of God, the name above all names.
What is in a name for you? Do you ascribe reverence to a name. The bible speaks with great reverence towards names. God has appointed different names at different times to different men and women in His kingdom. The bible uses symbolism in these particular names. Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Saul to Paul to name but a few. What is truly set apart from Gods image bearers are the names ascribed to himself.
There is to be great glory in His name. His name is Holy. It is above all names.
We see in Col. vs. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation. Since He is by nature God, Christ reveals the God who is otherwise invisible. The first born of all creation in no way suggests Christ is somehow created but speaks to the honor given the firstborn. The dignity of that seat of first born. Vs. 16 tells us BY Him all things were created. Here Jesus is the one who has created all things. All of creation was created through Jesus. Is that high enough? Is that dignified enough. Can we wrap our finite minds around the complexities of the creator? All things in heaven and on earth. Absolutely everything above and below has come by the preeminent one. All things visible and invisible. Seen and unseen. The measure of His greatness is unsearchable. Now it speaks of thrones, dominions, rulers and authorities. Absolutely all fall under the authority and sovereignty of Christ. They were created by Him and For Him. Is God self serving? Here we see that all things were created for Christ. What does that mean. I think it means that all things were created by which to bring Him glory. Glory in success and failures. Glory in Joy and Pain. Glory in salvation and glory in His justice. These things are hard to consider in a tainted mind that wants to glorify itself. That seeks to be seen for its accomplishments.
He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. One commentator writes, "A strong restatement of the temporal priority and universal significance of Christ, this verse makes explicit what was implicit in v. 16: Christ existed before all creation...The thought that Jesus is the moment by moment sustainer and unifying power of the universe is echoed in Heb. 1:2,3(Reformation Study Bible Notes)
I write these things to impress upon myself the nature and supremacy of Christ Jesus. The scripture here makes absolute his Lordship and Sovereignty. Praise Him! V. 18 says 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. Jesus resurrection marks the beginning of a new creation. We see Jesus referred to as the second Adam. In the 1st Adam all die so in the 2nd Adam all have life. Not a universal all but all in His church by which He is the head. Preeminent over all. His resurrection is an anticipation and a guarantee of the resurrection to come that all of His brothers and sisters will enjoy.
V.19 says for in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. The fullness of God resides in Christ. and we see in vs 20 it pleased Him to reconcile man to God through the cross. Making peace through the blood of the cross. I think you can see the parallels in Hebrews and throughout all scripture. The OT all pointed to Christ and found its fulfillment in Him. All believers are drawn to Christ and are fulfilled in Him. There is truly no greater power in heaven or on earth and He is the only name under heaven by which men must be saved.
Glory to the Holy One. Praises to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Soli Deo Gloria
15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 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. 17. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 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. 19. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20. and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.
The word preeminent in the American Heritage dictionary means: Superior to or notable above all others. Does this give just reverence to the preeminent one? When I speak of Jesus, the name above all names, I believe I have done so many times without even considering the truth behind that statement. I have only caught a glimpse of the holiness of God. I have always sought a high view of God and yet still cannot fully comprehend the depths of His holiness. Colossians jumps out in that it gives a picture of the glory in Christ. Here we look at Hebrews 1:1-3 as well to solidify again the bibles description of the Lord Jesus.
Hebrews 1:1-3
1. Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2. but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. 3. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
Jesus Christ, holy lamb of God, the name above all names.
What is in a name for you? Do you ascribe reverence to a name. The bible speaks with great reverence towards names. God has appointed different names at different times to different men and women in His kingdom. The bible uses symbolism in these particular names. Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Saul to Paul to name but a few. What is truly set apart from Gods image bearers are the names ascribed to himself.
There is to be great glory in His name. His name is Holy. It is above all names.
We see in Col. vs. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation. Since He is by nature God, Christ reveals the God who is otherwise invisible. The first born of all creation in no way suggests Christ is somehow created but speaks to the honor given the firstborn. The dignity of that seat of first born. Vs. 16 tells us BY Him all things were created. Here Jesus is the one who has created all things. All of creation was created through Jesus. Is that high enough? Is that dignified enough. Can we wrap our finite minds around the complexities of the creator? All things in heaven and on earth. Absolutely everything above and below has come by the preeminent one. All things visible and invisible. Seen and unseen. The measure of His greatness is unsearchable. Now it speaks of thrones, dominions, rulers and authorities. Absolutely all fall under the authority and sovereignty of Christ. They were created by Him and For Him. Is God self serving? Here we see that all things were created for Christ. What does that mean. I think it means that all things were created by which to bring Him glory. Glory in success and failures. Glory in Joy and Pain. Glory in salvation and glory in His justice. These things are hard to consider in a tainted mind that wants to glorify itself. That seeks to be seen for its accomplishments.
He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. One commentator writes, "A strong restatement of the temporal priority and universal significance of Christ, this verse makes explicit what was implicit in v. 16: Christ existed before all creation...The thought that Jesus is the moment by moment sustainer and unifying power of the universe is echoed in Heb. 1:2,3(Reformation Study Bible Notes)
I write these things to impress upon myself the nature and supremacy of Christ Jesus. The scripture here makes absolute his Lordship and Sovereignty. Praise Him! V. 18 says 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. Jesus resurrection marks the beginning of a new creation. We see Jesus referred to as the second Adam. In the 1st Adam all die so in the 2nd Adam all have life. Not a universal all but all in His church by which He is the head. Preeminent over all. His resurrection is an anticipation and a guarantee of the resurrection to come that all of His brothers and sisters will enjoy.
V.19 says for in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. The fullness of God resides in Christ. and we see in vs 20 it pleased Him to reconcile man to God through the cross. Making peace through the blood of the cross. I think you can see the parallels in Hebrews and throughout all scripture. The OT all pointed to Christ and found its fulfillment in Him. All believers are drawn to Christ and are fulfilled in Him. There is truly no greater power in heaven or on earth and He is the only name under heaven by which men must be saved.
Glory to the Holy One. Praises to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Soli Deo Gloria
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