“Sept 20, 2024 - The Firstborn”

Thursday, September 19, 2024

The Firstborn

Reading:  Colossians 1:15-23
    
    Before he can correct some of the issues troubling the Colossian church, Paul must first impress them with Jesus’ greatness.  He employs the word “firstborn” to describe two different dimensions of Jesus’ power.  “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  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”(Col 1:15-16).  Jesus is creator of all things, including the very powers that oppress his people.  This makes him “firstborn over all creation”—meaning not that he is part of the creation, but emphasizing his rank and dominion over it. Like a firstborn son, he ranks above everything in creation. “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together”(Col 1:17).  As firstborn, he ensures the continuing function of the universe as we know it.  

    Yet he has also begun a new creation in his people.  “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”(Col 1:18).  This firstborn speaks to how Jesus has emerged from the grave, ensuring that many more will follow him.  He is “the first to rise from the dead”(Acts 26:23).  Something new is beginning in him as he acts to “reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross”(Col 1:20).  There is peace, reconciliation, and hope despite the death we observe.  We partake in this new creation because he has also reconciled us to God (Col 1:22) and longs to “present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him”(Col 1:22).  As firstborn from the dead, Jesus gives direction to everything in our lives.  We are headed for resurrection.

    Paul wants Jesus’ disciples to share in his lofty view of Jesus.  He is more than a mere man, a path to wisdom, a noble teacher, or a kind healer.  He is over all creation, holding it together at every moment.  He is lord over death, having broken its clutches from the inside out.  He has all the answers and all the power—and he has reached out to me in love.  My job is merely to “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast”(Col 1:23).

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One Thing to Think About: What might it mean for Jesus to “reconcile to himself all things”?

One Thing to Pray For:   The strength to “continue in the faith”
 

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