Thought #4

(Who Is Jesus)
(Col 1:15-23)

Text: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Some Initial Remarks

Here we have one of the most blessed texts in our Bibles. It clearly displays who are Savior is, what He accomplished, and How we can know His accomplishments are ours to claim. I would like this week to take up that first point. (Just who is Jesus). There are many cults, sects and false ways that would say Jesus was a good man, Jesus was a good role model, Jesus was one of the best men who ever lived. But let's see what Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said about Jesus. Lord willing next week we will look at the work of our Savior. What He has accomplished, and finally how can we know it is for us?

What is being talked about in context?

Paul is dealing with all that we have in Christ and even further still what Christ has accomplished on our behalf. It is in this context that Paul breaks forth in the midst of describing all the wonderful things Jesus has done for us, to just how wonderful Jesus is. So.... Who is this Jesus?

He is the image of God. Vs 15 the (eikon) of God!
Thus something invisible is made visible. This word means not only representation, but even more importantly manifestation. So when Paul said here that Christ was the image of God, what he is saying that Jesus is the representation and the manifestation of God, the One whom no man had seen and lived. Jesus is the image of God.

He is the creator of all things! Vs 16
Go back to Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created" and you will find indeed that Christ is that great creator, He is very Jehovah God. It is impossible and defies clear language to say Christ was created, then He went and created everything else. Notice the text "by Him were ALL THINGS created". You can't make Christ a created thing, and yet say He created all things. That is absurd and defies logic and language. Paul is clear here, Jesus is the "creator".

All Things Exists Because of Him! Vs 17
He is not only the creator, but the sustainer! He is not only the One who made the universe, but the One who sustains all things by the word of His power. All things draw their consistence from our Savior Jesus Christ. Equally as we look at this phrase, we must conclude the existence of everything we see is the good pleasure of Christ, it was made by Him, for Him, and exists because of Him.

He is Before all things! Vs 17
He is (pro) all things. He existed before anything else that exist existed. Before Abraham was Jesus existed, before Adam was there was Jesus. Again Paul is saying Jesus is very God. Before He ever uttered "let there be light" there was Jesus. For Christ is before "all things".

He is the Head of the Church. Vs 18
Just as the creation requires Jesus for it's life, so does the church. Thus Jesus is indeed the "head" of His church. He is the root that supplies life to the vines. He is the supplier of life in creation and in recreation.

He is the Beginning. Vs 18
He is the first in a long line, or better yet, He is the origin. Even more better stated He is the origin of "all things". Thus Paul continues to push home that Jesus is very God, for Jesus is the origin.

He is the firstborn! Vs 15 & 18
A) of every creature
B) of those from the dead!

Now what does that mean?
Was Christ the first born? To be honest, many were born before He came in the body God had prepared for Him.
Was Christ the first raised from the dead? No. The Old Testament has many raised from the dead, and Jesus Himself raised people from the dead.
So what is God trying to say?

Here we have were most cults will take us to prove that Jesus is not God. They will quickly bring us hear to Colossians, ignore everything else that is said off and about our Savior, and say see! He is the firstborn of the living, (thus He had to be created)(thus there was a time prior to His creation when He did not exists). Three main problems here:
1) If we demand the phrase mean first born in the sense of creation order, and first raised in the sense of order, then it does not square with the rest of the scriptures.
2) To believe that Paul is here teaching a creation order ignores all the ways Paul has already proved that Jesus is God, and He is the One who created "all things". Paul has in every way imaginable proved beyond any shadow of a doubt that Jesus is God.
3) A simple study of how the phrase is used (in the Bible) along with the context that the statement is made in not only agree with one another, but prove beyond any doubt it's real meaning.

To answer the question let's be like James, their at the Jerusalem council and determine what do the scriptures say. Just two places and we will have this answered then a quick look at the context.

Gene 48:14 "And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid [it] upon Ephraim's head, who [was] the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh [was] the firstborn."

Here we have the historical account of Israel blessing Joseph's two sons. Notice carefully Israel put his right hand upon Ephraim, (although it should have gone upon Manasseh) "for Manasseh was the firstborn".

Jere 31:9 "They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim [is] my firstborn."

Here is a great and glorious prophecy involving restoration found only in Jesus Christ, here we find this strange phrase "Ephraim is my firstborn" Now is the Bible filled with errors? NO! Manasseh was the firstborn in order, but God can call Ephraim the firstborn, because he is the chosen one, he is the one of the two that has the place of preeminence. So the phrase "firstborn" can indeed mean the place of preeminence in the group being mentioned. Now look at the context (vs 18) as Paul says that Jesus is the "firstborn from the dead" he says "that in all things he might have the preeminence". Thus Jesus has the place of preeminence in the creation, and the place of preeminence in the recreation. Christ is the "firstborn", the preeminent One!

For in Christ the fulness of the Godhead dwells! Vs 19
Thus in Jesus the completeness, the abundance of the Godhead dwelled bodily! Or to express it as chapter 2 express it in verse 9 "For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." Thus doubting Thomas was dead on when he proclaimed to Jesus "my Lord and my God". If you happen to be a person who rejects the deity of Jesus, I would plead with you to repent, for words can be no clearer, in Christ dwells all the fullness of the Godhead.

Application

Jesus is not only our Savior, He is our God. He is not only a friend that sticks closer than a brother, He is our God. He is the One who created us, the One who sustains us. Jesus is not just a good man, although He was the greatest man who ever lived. Jesus is not just one that showed us how to live, although He was totally obedient to the law of God. But Jesus is the God man. 100% man, yet at the same time 100% God. Thus the promise in Isaiah 9:6;
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." finds it's fulfillment in Jesus for He is the promised child, the coming Son to be born, who would be called the mighty God, the everlasting Father!

We cannot assume that these truths are self evident for wolves would seek to ravish the flock. We must teach the truths of who Jesus is. Many are gone out into the world, who proclaim to know Christ, but deny Him. They teach their lies to any who will listen, and if we do not ground our children in the truth, Satan will seek to deceive them with lies. May we with hearts of great thanksgiving proclaim to Jesus "my Lord and my God"! For only God is worthy of our praise, (II Sam 22:4) and does not our New Testament teach that to Christ and Him alone belongs all praise and dominion (I Pet 4:11)

May the Lord order your every step until we meet again.