Imagining Jesus
When you think of Jesus, what comes to mind?
Shoulder-length brown hair with a neatly trimmed beard?
Does he have a “I just want to be your buddy” attitude?
Always ready to have people gather around for talk?
Not very authoritative, rather subdued?
Just “ok” with whatever we want to do?
The assumptions we make about Jesus will not only affect how we approach and communicate with Him, but our perception of who Jesus really is will be demonstrated in the way we live.
In the beginning of his letter, Paul reminded the Colossians who Jesus is – in relation to the Father, in relation to creation, and in relation to the church. These verses contain seven specific truths about Jesus – can you see them?
Colossians 1:15-20
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation;
because by Him everything was created, in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities –
all things have been created through Him and for Him.
He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.
He is also the head of the body, the church;
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
so that He might come to have first place in everything.
For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him,
and through Him to reconcile everything to Himself
by making peace through the blood of His cross –
whether things on earth or things in heaven.
He is the image of the invisible God – No one can see the Father, except through Jesus. He is our tangible connection to God.
He is the firstborn over all creation – The firstborn had the responsibility to govern, maintain, and prosper the family and family’s property. Jesus fulfills that role for all creation.
He is the Creator – This is why Jesus can claim the rights of the firstborn over all creation, because He was the one who invented all of it. He is the architect and builder. Nothing visible to our eyes, and nothing invisible to our eyes came about unless Jesus set it up.
He is the head of the church – Jesus established His church as the family for all who would trust in Him for forgiveness of sin and for eternal life. Jesus loves the church body as a groom loves his bride, and Jesus willing leads His people.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead – Jesus was the first to come back from the dead with a glorified body. He truly is the beginning of the newness we will obtain in Him.
He has the fullness of God dwelling in Him – Jesus is not part man/part God. Instead He is fully God and fully man, which makes Him the perfect mediator between God and mankind.
He is the reconciler – Jesus’ mission was to reconcile us rebellious sinners and the fallen creation back to Himself. Through His death on the cross, He brought us the ability to have peace with God. It’s important to remember that our reconciliation happened both on His own initiative and on our behalf. We could never have been reconciled without the cross.
Is this how we view Jesus? Is this how we see our King?
Don’t just laze around in the comfortable Jesus-stereotypes. Remember who He is…and then be overwhelmed at the truth that he knows us fully and still desires an eternal relationship with each one of us.
Keep Pressing,
Ken