Daily Bread

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers — all things have been created through him and for him. He himself 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, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

In progressive theological circles there is much talk about 'who' God is and what God is like. One Bible scholar I follow describes God as 'the great unfolding' which is kinda cool but also difficult to get to grips with!

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in Colossae, reminds us that if we want to know what God is like, then look at Jesus. For example, if you want to know how God responds when God encounters injustice, then look at Jesus, and if you want to know how God reacts when faced with poverty, illness, or oppression, then look at Jesus, for 'he is the image of the invisible God.'

Paul then moves from one end of the scale to the other, from the very practical, on the ground, walking and talking Jesus, to the Jesus who is the creator of the universe, the one whom 'all things hold together'. For me it's a great reminder that our atoms — our very being — are being held together in and through Christ.

Paul then describes Jesus as being the head of us, the church, and the first of us to be raised from the dead, and how, being fully God, through the cross, he has reconciled all things — including us — to himself. Jesus is our leader, our commander-in-chief, and our sovereign.

To sum up Paul's words:

Jesus is fully God
and through him all things were created.
Everything in creation is held together by Jesus,
and he is the head of the church.
He was the first to be raised from the dead,
and being fully God, through the cross,
he has reconciled everything to himself.

There is no-one else that comes even close to the awesomeness, majesty, power, and importance of Jesus Christ, for Christ is your God, the one whom you worship, and the reason you exist. If you are looking for someone in whom to put your trust, look no further. All you have to do is respond to God's invitation to follow. Jesus said, "Come to me" and it matters not what you have done, where you are, or how you identify — the call is simply to come to Jesus, and God will take care of the rest.

Holy God
When I think
about who you are,
and dwell on your holiness,
I can only respond
by giving you
all of myself,
and falling at your feet
in praise and thanksgiving.
You are my God,
now and forever.
Praise your holy name.