Jesus the Firstborn of All Creation

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (Colossians 1.15)

How can we begin to understand God’s actions among us? The infinite and immutable God, the Lord of all creation who formed the universe and established the borders of time; how can we grasp His wonders in our midst?

How can we wrestle with evil and destruction that plagues our world? The wars and rumors of wars, tortures and cruelties meted by wicked men on the innocent; how can we reconcile a fallen world with a perfect God?

Jesus. Only through Jesus can we see the unseen God. Only through Jesus can we find redemption and restoration. God created all things through Jesus and so it is through Jesus that He is re-creating all things, restoring all things, redeeming all things. In Jesus we find the image of the invisible God. In Jesus, all who have been made in the image of God find new life, even in the midst of trials and tribulations, even in the heart of conflict and chaos. Jesus, the firstborn of all creation, is leading us toward the Father as we are transformed in the power of His Spirit.

In this fallen world where brothers kill brothers and families war against each other we will be pressed, perplexed and persecuted. But take heart, Jesus the firstborn of all creation who went before us in death is leading us into His new creation as sons and daughters of God.

Jesus, fill my lungs so I might sing this ancient hymn worshipping you as the image of the unseen God in whom all the fullness of God is pleased to dwell.

Jesus the Image of the Invisible God

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (Colossians 1.15)

How long has humanity made idols? Small carvings of earthly figures symbolizing divinities scattered across time. Ancient peoples stored them up, little pieces of wood and stone, in their secret places of worship. They set up great metal monuments to deities, abusing their bodies and sacrificing the lives of their own children in exchange for rain and fertile fields. Survival at a price. They shaped and chiseled out these images to give their invisible fears and beliefs form.

The idols we make mock us with their speechless lips and lifeless presence. They symbolize not divine strength and power but our feeble attempt to name our fears and struggles to defeat them. We seek to control the uncontrollable and exercise a sovereignty beyond our grasp.

Into this fury of graven images Jesus walks among us. Not stone or steel. Not wood or glass. Fully God and fully man, the unchanging image of the invisible God. He is not a composite of our fears, a broken mirror of our cosmology. He is of one substance with God the Father, immutable and full of glory. May we see Him as He is, the greatness of the invisible God made visible for our salvation. There is no need for a pantheon of lifeless shadows in the presence of Jesus, the image of the Invisible God.

Jesus, show me the broken down idols in my life that need to be swept away.

Jesus the Channel of 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. (Colossians 1.16)

Creation makes no sense without Jesus. The chaos of this world can be unsettling. Wars and rumors of wars increase. But even when the drumbeats that lead tanks into battle become quiet, the silence can still be deafening for a restless—Christless—humanity. Politicians can try and vanquish opposition to solidify their temporary power but they will never have a millennial reign. Celebrities can fixate on their own beauty but flesh fails and time wrinkles all people as they turn to dust. Arrogant men give way to worms.

A creation without Christ acting as it’s centripetal and centrifugal force would collapse into inaction or spiral out of existence. By Jesus all things were created. Everything is embraced in His eternal hands. Visible galaxies and invisible souls, physical bodies and spiritual connections find their origin in Him. It is by His allowance that humanity can pursue their passions and purposes. And it becomes readily evident whether we are pursuing passions and purposes that bring glory to Jesus their Creator.

Jesus is not only the Creator of the universe, but the very reason it exists. Which draws us to ask ourselves: Is Jesus the center of our lives? If He is the center then even if we feel our days rocketing out of control we know that our Creator’s hand is still drawing us close. Likewise, is Jesus the driving force in our action? If so, He will always keep us from spiraling out of His control.

Jesus, draw me close to Your side and send me out in with Your love.