Supreme in Creation and Redemption

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Day 6 – Colossians 1:17-20

Paul continues his breath-taking doxology to Jesus. He reminds us of who Jesus is and of what He has done. The great theme is Jesus’ supremacy over all things, and this supremacy is seen in creation and in redemption.

Jesus is the eternal Christ. At His incarnation, Jesus became what He was not before—a human being. Christ alone is pre-existent, no other person can be given that title. More than that, “in him all things hold together” (v. 17). Not only was the universe created by Him, everything continues to exist because of Him. If it was not for Jesus sustaining all things, the universe would revert to the chaotic state it was in before God first said, “Let there be . . .” (Genesis 1:3). Jesus is supreme.

In verse 18, Paul moves from creation to redemption. Jesus not only brought the old creation into being, He has ushered in the new creation by His death and resurrection. The new creation begins with people made new. Jesus is their head, because by breaking the bonds of death, He established a new humanity.

And for what purpose? So Jesus might be pre-eminent over all things. In verse 19, we have one of the most sublime statements about Christ in the whole Bible: all God’s power, glory, majesty, wisdom, and grace dwell in Jesus Christ, who is fully man and fully God. Through the divine Son’s death and resurrection, God has healed the great rupture that tore His creation apart because of sin. Shalom restored. Peace regained. Enemies reconciled. All through Jesus’ blood shed on the cross.

Jesus is the Lord we can entrust our lives to. He is the Lord we must entrust our lives to. There is only one possible response to the Jesus we have met in the past two days: we must worship Him. It is possible that these verses were a song they sang in the early church, because when you see Jesus as He truly is, you can only break out in heartfelt praise and adoration.

Think Through:

What are the practical implications for your daily life in believing that Jesus is the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of everything?

Given that most created beings do not worship Jesus, how can Paul say that, “in everything he might have the supremacy”? How does Jesus’ supremacy express itself in your life?

Taken from Journey Through Colossians & Philemon: 30 Devotional Insights by Mike Raiter.