Christmas
This devotional is written by Ben Ashby.
Colossians 1:15-20
The Supremacy of the Son of God
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Reflection
“He is the image of the invisible God”.
Just a stunning proclamation that Paul drops like a bombshell. Here we have an utter revelation of Jesus that we often miss. Jesus is the image of God, the perfect manifestation of goodness, light and love.
"All things were created through him and for him”"
When we look at Jesus, we see God's character- unbound love and graciousness, full of beauty that is perplexing to most of us. What's incredible to think is that, if all things were made through him, then all of creation is goodness and love manifested- through the trees, the rivers and mountains, the sunsets and rain, the smell of freshly cut grass and the sounds of rushing water. And us. We, me and you, are the manifestation of Jesus’s love and goodness.
Paul even says that "he is the head of the body, the church". We are the church. And so you, the body, are a jaw dropping, perplexingly beautiful manifestation of his love, pure and righteous, for our bodies are the temple God dwells in.
I love to go to the park when I'm busy or stressed and lie on the grass, staring up at the sky. "Who is this God?" "What is he/she/it like?" "why am I here?" "Who am I to be here when I have done so much wrong and felt so much pain?"
Running my fingers through the grass, taking a deep, satisfying breath, I realise that the sensations around me, the birds, the breath, colours and shapes, are all manifestations of Jesus. And so are we. And I have nothing left to do but get on my knees in worship.
Lord, we often live with such guilt and shame of who we are, bought into the lie that we are not worthy, that we must be better to be loved, that you are not proud of us. I pray that you break these lies, and give us revelation of this truth in Colossians. Let us see how we are the great manifestation of your love, image bearers of the eternal God and bring us into your awe-dropping presence, that is your peace.
Amen
Just a stunning proclamation that Paul drops like a bombshell. Here we have an utter revelation of Jesus that we often miss. Jesus is the image of God, the perfect manifestation of goodness, light and love.
"All things were created through him and for him”"
When we look at Jesus, we see God's character- unbound love and graciousness, full of beauty that is perplexing to most of us. What's incredible to think is that, if all things were made through him, then all of creation is goodness and love manifested- through the trees, the rivers and mountains, the sunsets and rain, the smell of freshly cut grass and the sounds of rushing water. And us. We, me and you, are the manifestation of Jesus’s love and goodness.
Paul even says that "he is the head of the body, the church". We are the church. And so you, the body, are a jaw dropping, perplexingly beautiful manifestation of his love, pure and righteous, for our bodies are the temple God dwells in.
I love to go to the park when I'm busy or stressed and lie on the grass, staring up at the sky. "Who is this God?" "What is he/she/it like?" "why am I here?" "Who am I to be here when I have done so much wrong and felt so much pain?"
Running my fingers through the grass, taking a deep, satisfying breath, I realise that the sensations around me, the birds, the breath, colours and shapes, are all manifestations of Jesus. And so are we. And I have nothing left to do but get on my knees in worship.
Lord, we often live with such guilt and shame of who we are, bought into the lie that we are not worthy, that we must be better to be loved, that you are not proud of us. I pray that you break these lies, and give us revelation of this truth in Colossians. Let us see how we are the great manifestation of your love, image bearers of the eternal God and bring us into your awe-dropping presence, that is your peace.
Amen
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