Read Colossians 1:11-20
The letter to the Colossians about the fullness of Christ was penned by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae. In this opening, we find an almost overwhelming list of theological truths woven together to affirm the supremacy of Christ. He did this to encourage believers in their faith journey. The people of this time had turned to worshiping angels. They felt that Christ was too lofty. Think about electricity. Our body depends on electricity to function, our nerves generate and receive it. Touch a live electrical wire and we are overwhelmed. The people of Colossae felt the same way about God. They knew he was vital to them, but they turned to lesser beings as a buffer.
The passage in Colossians 1:11-20 delves into the profound nature of Christ’s role in the lives of believers and the cosmos at large. The passage stresses the believers’ qualification to share in the inheritance of God’s kingdom, emphasizing that this privilege is not earned through works but is a gracious gift bestowed upon them. A gift given in love and gentleness. Christ is vividly portrayed as a the One who rescues us from the dominion of darkness. He brings us into the kingdom of light. Paul underscores the profound shift from bondage to freedom that occurs through salvation in Christ. The concept of redemption and forgiveness, central to the Christian faith, is then highlighted, pointing to the sacrificial work of Christ on the cross as the means through which believers are reconciled to God.
The passage ends in a majestic declaration of Christ’s preeminence and divinity. Christ is portrayed as the image of the invisible God, the agent of creation, and the sustainer of all things. His role as the head of the church underscores His leadership and nurturing care for His people. The fullness of God dwelling in Christ signifies His complete divine nature, while His work of reconciliation through His sacrificial death on the cross restores peace and harmony between God and humanity.
Read verses 15 thru 20 again. These verses are a hymn of celebration. Have you sung or prayed these verses in your earlier years. Good words to save in your heart for times of stress.
Paul’s strategy of filling these Colossian Christians with true beliefs to displace untrue beliefs is much the same way we nurture the growth of grass to prevent weeds from finding a place to grow.
These words are like the North Star. People who navigate by the stars find the North Star especially helpful. If they can get a “fix” on the North Star, that will help them to orient themselves so that they will know where they are and in what direction they are headed. They can use that knowledge to steer away from dangerous rocks and shoals—and to guide their ship to its intended destination. In this letter to the Colossians, Paul establishes Christ as their North Star—the fixed point in the sky by which they can navigate dependably—the truth who will help them to avoid the many falsehoods that threaten to lead them astray.
In verses 15-20, Paul states that Christ is superior to things (such as angels) to which Colossian Christians might find themselves drawn. Christ is the image of the invisible God. He is the firstborn of all creation. He created all things and existed before all things. When things challenge us, he is there ahead of us.
He is the one who has made peace through the blood of his cross.
Prayer for this day.
Dear Lord, this fullness of Christ brings us comfort in our fragility. In our moments of doubt, chaos, or disquiet, remind us to fix our eyes upon You, for You are our cornerstone. You are the sustainer of all life. Help us to lean on You in those times of uncertainty, trusting that in Christ, our lives are held together by His grace and power.
As we reflect upon the roles You have established, we acknowledge that “he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead.” We commit ourselves as a community of believers to growing in unity under Christ’s lordship. May we submit to His leading and guidance as we strive to be His hands and feet in this world. Teach us to love one another fervently, supporting and encouraging each other as we advance Your mission. God, remove my strongholds of selfishness so that I my shift to selfless powerful servanthood for you. AMEN