Our scripture this morning is Colossians 1:15-20.
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
In this passage Paul reminds the Colossian church of Christ’s unique position as God with us, fully human and fully divine. Some in that community rationalized that Jesus could only be one or the other. It is important for us to understand that He is indeed both.
Jesus Christ was “begotten, not created”, a phrase from the Nicean Creed that means He is of the same substance as God. We are created in God’s image, but we are certainly not of the same substance. While we can be “like” God, Jesus is one with God.
However, through Christ’s sacrifice for us, we can be reconnected to God as beloved children, as close as any creation can be with our Creator. Paul writes “He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross” (v. 20). God loved us so much He was willing to come in human form to save us from sin and death. All we need to do is accept His love and walk in faith until He returns for us.
Gracious God, we are grateful for the gift of our savior, Jesus Christ. Help us to live and grow in Your love, sharing the Good News with everyone. Amen.