“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”
- Colossians 1:15
This chapter of Colossians takes a concept about Christ that is pretty easy and simple, and expounds on it so beautifully! We already know Christ as the Alpha and the Omega, who existed before creation, and as God has authority over everything! Christ is to be not a passive afterthought in our walk of life, but the first priority whom by we even live! When we call Him Lord, we are rightly calling Him our leader, our king, acknowledging His sovereignty and saying we wish to be led by Him throughout our lives. In the 6 verses we will look at, Paul not only affirms all this but expands and deepens our understanding of it.
Image of the Invisible:
Recently I heard someone say, “why would I believe in something that I can’t see?” Sure, if we think of God as like other gods, there might be some proof of this. Yet, in Christ, this could not be further from the truth! God throughout the scriptures has revealed Himself, even physically and that usually doesn’t go well because we can’t physically withstand it (Exodus 33). Moses had to be squished in some rocks and protected by God to withstand it. So God works actively and presently but invisible, out of love and care for us! The invisibility though changes in Christ, for when we see Christ, we see the Father. In Jesus, we see God, fully and completely, like a human but His character remains fully the same as it always has been!
Firstborn of all Creation:
He is fully God, His complete invisible image incarnated into flesh, and as the firstborn of all creation, He is fully man! However, this is not to say He was created, there has never been a moment the Son has not existed! Yet, what it is saying, as fully man, His rightful inheritance is all Creation! It’s less about the idea of birth, and more about the idea of ruling! The firstborns traditionally receive the largest inheritance and receive the land. Christ is then the firstborn, who will receive an inheritance, which is creation. While we are also awaiting an inheritance, Jesus is first in line.
All Things:
In verses 16 and 17, there are four successive “All Things:”
“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. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
All things were created THROUGH Christ. All the things we can see and all the things we cannot see. This physical realm and the spiritual realm. From the grandest of galaxies and beings to the smallest of atoms and critters. He was there at creation busily creating! He has higher power and authority than all other powers and authorities, whether they be personal, political, or supernatural.
All things were created FOR Him, for the Son is Lord, it is His to rule and reign supreme and have all things at His feet.
All things are BEHIND Him, aka He is BEFORE all things. Nothing existed before Him. Everything no matter how powerful comes behind and after. Since everything is after Him, nothing can overcome Him.
All things are SUSTAINED by Him. Since He is the creator of everything, everything finds its life and existence in Him. That’s why it makes so much sense that the Holy Spirit is sometimes understood like wind or breath. Everything finds its existence and continuation in Christ.
Preeminent:
Verse 18 introduces another layer:
“And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn of the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent.”
He is the leader and the center of the church. Without Him there is no church, so all the church functions are to flow from Him and are overseen by Him. His work of redeeming continues through the church.
He is the firstborn of the dead, the first of the resurrected (once again not by chronology but by primacy), and for that the resurrected from here on out can follow Him into eternal life.
Indwelling Peace:
Verses 19 and 20 wrap up this portion:
“For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.”
God fully dwells in Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible, yet also ALL THINGS are being reconciled to Him. So all things redeemed will be found in Him, covered by His blood that all things may have peace with God and each other.
Final Blessing:
Christ is the Prime! Christ has the greatest significance and priority in all known and unknown creations. How then could we not make Him the priority of our lives? He makes God known to us and ushers us to the very heart of God. We have been created through Him and For Him, so let us stay behind Him and be sustained by His grace.
Now may the Lord of Life and Redemption be with you in every step, every breath, and every heartbeat of your journey!
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