Our Savior – Preeminent! … And then us!
This morning I read one of the grand and greatest passages of Scripture in the entire Bible – Colossians 1:15-23! In it Apostle Paul presents a stark contrast… The eternal preeminence of Jesus Christ and our abject sinfulness and need!
Preeminence probably needs to be defined! The Oxford Dictionary defines it as “surpassing all others – superiority.” But the passage itself, describing Jesus Christ our Savior, reveals what it is perfectly! …
“He (Jesus Christ) 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. And He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. 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! For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell!! (vss. 15-19a)
Wow!!! Jesus Christ, our Savior… fully God! Existing in eternity past… there at creation… involved in every aspect of creation (from the smallest to the cosmic)… supreme and sustainer of everything… head of the Church… the One who not only gives life, but conquered death! Yes… PREEMINENT!!! I mean, think about it – it blows your mind!!!
And then the contrast… US!!! Alienated and enemies of God – guilty sinners! We who were, “Once alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His body by His death, IN ORDER TO PRESENT US HOLY AND BLAMELESS AND ABOVE REPROACH BEFORE HIM! (vss. 21-22)
Oh what a Savior!!! And He, by his “preeminence” is not only able to save and reconcile us – “though Him to reconcile to Himself ALL THINGS, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross! (vs. 20b) One more time WOW – WHAT A SAVIOR!!!
Coffee With The Lord 