Colossians 1:15-17
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.
Christ is "The firstborn of every creature." This does not mean that he was born before we were, many of his believers were born before he was. We know from Jesus's testimony that Abraham rejoiced to see his day and before Abraham Jesus was [John 8:58]. What is being said here is, that before there was any creature or creation for that matter, there was Jesus. God spoke up in Genesis and said "Let us make man in our own image." God speaking in the plural, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Jesus is the image of God and he was there for the creation of all things. These verses present us with the "I am" Christ. Which is what he said of himself, "Before Abraham, I am." Paul takes us a step further, even before creation he was still the great "I am." There has never been a time in eternity past, present, or future when Jesus was not who he has always been. The only thing we can say that he was, is dead. He was dead and now he lives forevermore. He is "The first born of every creature."
"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: And he is before all things, and by him, all things consist." Not only was he before creation but he is the creator. By his word, the waters were divided, the lights set in their order and every aspect of creation was spoken into existence. Jesus demonstrated his power as creator while here on earth, by the power of his word, He spoke and the laws of nature were forced to obey, how is it possible? He is the creator and controller of creation, all creation. Things in heaven, earth, the physical, and the spiritual all were created by him and for him, and all things consist by him, which means all things are held together by him. Think about that night on the stormy sea when He stood and rebuked the wind and the waves, the disciples replied "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" [Matt 8:27]. What about the demons that inhabited that poor man in Gadera? He spoke and they were removed. What no man, no chain, nor any amount of time could do, Christ the creator and controller of these entities did at the sound of his voice [Mark 5:8]. Remember Lazurus, dead for 4 days, and by that time he stunk. Death had separated him from this life into the next, and the body had begun to decay, for man, all hope was gone. Jesus comes and displays his creative power over death, decay and doubt. His power over thrones and dominions is displayed in his conversation with Pilot. He told him "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above."
His life is a testimony to Colossians 1:15-17, we see the same power and authority displayed by him while on the earth as was displayed in the creation of the earth, and to answer the question posed by the disciples on the boat that night, "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" This man is Jesus Christ, the creator of the wind and sea, He is the controller of the wind and sea and it is by him that the wind and sea consist. Christ is not just an important figure in history or religion or only important to those who take interest in him. He is the creator of all men and all things, his authority doesn't stop at the doors of the church or in the lives of his followers. His authority and power are over every aspect of creation. Every tongue will confess and every knee will bow, we had better see Jesus for who he is, the supreme authority.
When we see Jesus as Supreme, it comforts our hearts. When we are condemned by some creature we can reply: "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." [Rom 8:34] What creature can condemn a man that the creator has pardoned?
When we see Jesus as Supreme, it convicts our hearts. Our sin is not against man alone but our sin is against the one who created us, controls us, and by whom we have our very being(consist). Jesus isn't some hippie looking to condone your sins and make you feel accepted. Jesus is your creator and he is wanting to forgive your sins and make you accepted.
Seeing Jesus as Supreme causes us to show others who he is. One day our loved ones who scoffed at us and our allegiance to King Jesus will stand before him when it is too late, one day our neighbors who laughed and scorned while we gave our days to Jesus's service will stand before Him. What Jesus are we showing to people? A powerful Christ who is the judge of all things, who will say "Depart from me." Or a weak effeminate christ, who is not The Christ but another. Colossians shows us, Christ, for who he is. He is not just Christ for the Jews or Christ for the Christians but by Him, all things consist. "He is before all things, and by him, all things consist.
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