“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’”
Matthew 16:15

Yesterday we covered some in Colossians about how Jesus holds together the universe and all that is in it. There is more to that passage. Let’s take a peek.

Colossians 1:18 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 preeminent.

Preeminent. This means “surpassing all others.” Indeed. Do you ever think of Jesus like that? As surpassing all others? In everything? Now, I’ve heard people joke that it must have been tough to be the brother or sister to the perfect first-born. That’s humorous, but it really misses the point. There is no one like Jesus. As Peter responded to Jesus when asked if the disciples wanted to leave, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:68-69)

But there is more!

v. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.

This is a powerful passage of scripture, and this is a powerful verse within it. Listen, the world mocks Jesus. Our nation, the one built on Christian principles (right?) enjoys using his name as a cuss word. Muslims challenge us to show where in the bible that Jesus is divine. Well, folks, here is one verse. Your homework is to familiarize yourself with others. (1 Peter 3:15)

v. 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Reconcile. This means to “restore friendly relations between” or to “cause to coexist in harmony.” Do you suppose God needs to reconcile the stars and planets to himself? No. There is only one thing God needs to reconcile – man.

Then the thought struck me, and I don’t know if I had ever heard it before or not. How did God create the universe? He spoke it into being. How did God reconcile humans to himself? By nailing Jesus to a tree.

All of creation came to be seemingly without effort. “And God said…” Yet, to fix man, Jesus had to die a horrible death. God had to crush Jesus. And, he did. God crushed Jesus.

Creating everything you see? Spoken.

Forgiving our sins? Crucifixion.

I don’t know about you, but that rattles my cage.

Father, how incredible just a few sentences can be! We will never run out of amazement in your book. As the night sky is amazing, your book is even more so. Thank you. Amen.

Copyright © 2019 Scott Powers