The image

 December 20, 2021 (Monday0

 

Reading Paul is like reading a theology book in every sentence. As we head into the “home stretch” for Christmas, the key question is who is Jesus? Paul begins a very deep and dense theological discussion in Colossians 1:15, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” [ESV]

 

In America we have a saying when someone looks like some else, “the spitting image.” It means the person is “the exact double” (Oxford).  This mirrors what Jesus said, “…Whoever has seen me has seen the Father….” [John 14:9b ESV] I doubt Paul or Jesus meant the physical image. Since “God is spirit” (see John 4:24), the verse is referring to the character, nature, and substance of the Father and Son are identical.

 

The image of “firstborn,” in the Greek is necessarily understood as birth order. Instead, it refers to importance. The meaning is NOT that Jesus is a created being. Paul adds clarity, “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 ESV] The key words which hold the meaning of this verse together are “by,” “through,” and “for.”

 

All things in the physical and spiritual realms are created BY Jesus points to Jesus unquestionable divinity. Everything was created THROUGH Jesus distinguishes the rolls of the Father and Son. Everything exists FOR the purpose of bring glory to Jesus, who in turn brings glory to the Father!

 

Consider the image we have of Jesus laying in a manger (feeding trough). We consider birth a beginning, yet Paul claims, “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” [Colossians 1:17 ESV] This puts a spin on our understanding of beginning/end and birth/death. For us birth was the beginning of Jesus’ physical existence but not the beginning of His existence. When Jesus died, it was the transition of His earthly physical existence into His eternal physical state.

 

Back to the baby laying in a manger… consider this: in the most helpless and vulnerable human form, Jesus was still holding all things together!

 

Consider the reason for the season. I like the sentiment that Jesus is the reason. Yet, there is something deeper and denser at work than a simple meme. If you know me, I like to connect the birth of Jesus with His work on the cross AND the reality of Jesus return in all His glory. But, Christmas (the cross, and the return) have a running theme: “…making peace by the blood of his cross.” [Colossians 1:20c ESV]

 

Peace is not something humans will ever achieve, until Jesus returns. Peace is something individuals can ever achieve, except “by the blood of his cross.” Peace is only a dream, until you bring your broken and wounded heart to the manger and fall down and worship Him.