WHO IS JESUS (PART 3)

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation.

Colossians 1:15 NLT

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Jesus is one with His Father, “the visible image of the invisible God.” He also existed well before being conceived by Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb, existing “before anything was created.”

These are the first two things we learned while studying the first chapter of Paul’s letter of the Colossians as he emphasizes the supremacy of Jesus over anyone or anything. Through Ephaphras, an emissary from Colossae during Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, the Apostle learned that false teaching was threatening the Colossian church so we find him placing a great deal of emphasis on Jesus and His absolute sovereignty.

As we turn to the third message in this series, we see Paul drive home the point regarding Jesus’ complete authority. He writes:

Christ...is supreme over all creation. v.15

Now, this hardly should be a major revelation because Jesus Himself proclaimed His total preeminence and superiority at the start of what is known as the Great Commission. He said:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew 28:18

Note here that ALL “authority in heaven and on earth” had been given to Jesus and this means that He was “supreme over all creation” and had been so since the beginning. When we call Jesus, “King”, we do so for a good reason because He, one with God the Father, is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He has no rival or equal. None.

This is why Paul in chapter 2 of this letter says this to the Colossian Christians (and still speaks to believers today):

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ (v. 8).

As mentioned, false teaching was trying to infiltrate the Colossian church and, going again to chapter 2, we find some hints about that teaching as Paul writes:

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.

Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Vv. 16-18, 20-23

The reality is indeed found in Christ, the One who said He is the Way and the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). He has been, is, and will always be “supreme over all creation” because that’s who He is. Acknowledge and proclaim His utter, unlimited greatness and you will always be focused on what truly matters.

In other words, always put Christ first as a Christian.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to Gods4all@aol.com