Day 289: The wonder of Jesus! - Colossians 1 vs 15 – 20

13-14 God has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

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 pre-eminent. 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. Colossians 1:15-20 English Standard Version

Today's verses show how really excited the apostle Paul was about the wonder of Jesus Christ. A big reason for that was what we read in vs 15. Almighty God - who is invisible - was made visible to mankind in Jesus Christ. Think of that for a moment. Paul also refers to Jesus as 'the firstborn of all creation'. Does verse 16 explain what he meant by that title for Jesus?

Some people say 'firstborn' means that Jesus was the first being created by God. But verse 16 shows it refers to how Jesus was the 'channel' through which creation came into existence. The gospel of John says: “He existed in the beginning with God and God created everything through him.” (John 1:2-3) Jesus precedes creation. Verse 18 tells us He is also the 'firstborn from the dead'. He precedes all those who will be raised from the dead through Him.

We’re dealing here with the mystery that is associated with God's being. That shouldn't surprise us because, while creation tells us a lot about God - it doesn't tell us everything about Him. Bible teachers over the ages have used the word 'Trinity' to express how God exists as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And while that word is not in the Bible, it is useful for describing something that is hard to put into words.

As a man, Jesus only existed from when He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary's womb. But, as God's eternal Son, Jesus existed before all creation. Yet, even as a man, what do we read about Jesus in verse19?

He possessed the fullness of God. This too is a mystery that is difficult for us to grasp – that He could be fully man, yet also fully God. But that's what filled Paul with such excitement and a sense of wonder. Jesus was not just a prophet, such as Moses had a been - or a King, such as David had been. He is far more.

But there was more reason for Paul's wonder and excitement. What do verses 13-14 & 20 tell us about the Lord Jesus Christ?

God's mighty, mighty act of saving sinful men and women out of the darkness that Satan had blinded their lives with, was brought about through His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. And if that wasn't already wonderful enough, this forgiveness of our sins was made possible because the Son of God went to a cross and was cruelly slaughtered to undo all that sin had brought about in God's world. The life Jesus gave, and the blood He shed on the cross, has made peace with God possible for sinners like us. And that's what many people in Colossae had discovered.

What fills your heart with wonder? A glorious sunrise or sunset? The vastness of space and the trillions of stars? The many amazing things we see in creation? All of those are marvellous. But what should fill us with wonder most of all is the Lord Jesus Christ. May God's Spirit help us to see Christ’s glory more and more.