In the previous verses we have looked at the heart of God as The Rescuer and Jesus being God. Today, we will be looking into the agency of The Messiah.
NAU Colossians 1:18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
Paul begins by telling the reader two positions that only Jesus holds followed by the reason why. The previous verses spoke about Jesus being The Creator and holding all things together. Now there is a shift of focus to Jesus as The Messiah, however, the understanding of Him being God accompanies this shift of focus.
This verse states the importance of Jesus’ two positions held in conjunction with the believer. His positions are being the head of the body and the first one born from the dead. Paul specifies that Jesus is the head of the church. He not only created all things but He is actively leading those who follow Him. If one is not apart of the church, Jesus is not The One leading or guiding the individual. The person will not submit to His authority because of rejecting Him. Those who are apart of the body of believers are in a relationship with Jesus. Secondly, He is alive from the dead. All things were dead in sin. Now that He died for the sins of the world, those who believe in Him are now alive in Him. Jesus not only died for the sins of the world but He also arose from the dead. The fact that He is alive from the dead proves Him to be God, Himself. He is The Living Messiah.
This is important to state because as God created before, there now, is a new creation that has begun for those who are alive in The Messiah (Christ). 2 Corinthians 5:17 shares that all who are in Christ (Messiah) are now new creations. God The Father made sure that Jesus The Son of God would be first or supreme in all areas so that He would be worshiped as God in all areas. We see this indicated by the use of the word “so that” or “hina” in the Greek which is a subordinate conjunction indicating purpose or goal. This word is followed by “Himself” or “autos” in the Greek. In the Greek this word is used in the Nomative case to emphasize identity from others. Paul wants to make it clear that He is of primary importance in everything. He is to be looked at and worshiped as first in all things.
NAU Colossians 1:19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,
The “fullness” that is being spoken of here is of the divine nature of The Father. The word “all” is present for emphasis stressing that all of The Father’s divine nature is in Jesus. When the people saw Jesus, they were seeing God in the flesh, John 1:14. None of God’s nature was left out but all is present in Him. This is a bold proclamation that Jesus is God in the flesh. However, it is a foundational truth in Christianity. It is this truth that many people could not accept during His lifetime and now many still will not accept.
The word “to dwell” in the Greek is in the Infinitive Aorist Active form. It is completing the action of the verb “good pleasure” or In the Greek “eudokeo” in the Indicative Aorist Active 3rd person tense. It is in the active so it shows us that the subject is doing the action of the verb. God’s full divinity was in Jesus.
The fact that the fullness of God dwelt in Jesus separates Him from all other people that ever walked this earth. God is holy thus stating that Jesus is holy also. He was always without sin in while living in the flesh of man. Paul is displaying, to the reader, that Jesus is God and thus holy. The importance of these facts about Jesus is important in order to understand and accept. These foundational truths about Him lead into the next verse of making atonement for the sins of the world.
NAU Colossians 1:20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
The word “to reconcile” has the meaning to bring back to a former state of harmony. The prepositional phase “through Him” is written before the verb to stress the agent by which the reconciliation is brought forth and this is referring to Jesus. We see God’s desire is that all things to be reconciled or brought back to a state of harmony with Him. At one time everything was in harmony with Him. After Adam sinned against God by disobeying His command not to eat of the tree in the middle of the garden, Genesis 2:16-17, death has reigned. But since Jesus died for the sins of the world and arose victoriously over death, life is now given and harmony now realized again with God The Father. This was done through the blood of Jesus. Because He died and was the sacrifice for sin, He now has made peace for all things with God The Father. Since Jesus was without sin, He was not under the judgement of God for sins committed. Therefore, He was the only One that could possibly die in our place, and that is what He did. He willingly took our place in judgement so that we might live in harmony with God again.
How exciting it is to know that God’s desire is for all mankind to know and live peaceable with Him. If you have not turned in faith to trust in His love given to us through Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins, please be encouraged to do so today. Be assured that your life will never be the same as you walk with God daily. Praise be to God Who loves His creation so much that He would give His own life to save it from death and bring it back into relationship with Him. There is no other worthy of worship and praise at this moment and forevermore.
Love,
Daniel
Posted on May 14th, 2007 by Daniel
Filed under: Truth To Live By