Preeminence: A look at Colossians 1:15-20
When you read Colossians, what thoughts come to mind? | PC: pixabay.com
I'm not very good about reading my Bible.
I'd rather write my prayers or read some "enticing" spiritual material. But as I slowly integrate reading the Bible into my daily routine, it’s just so gratifying. Reading confirms what I write and believe. It's so relieving to see my struggles in the stories of the Bible.
Sometimes I find it difficult to understand and comprehend,, but I'm trying to take it slow. With this, I don't want to preach, but I want to open your mind. I want you to read, and reread the passage below. What are you lead to think? Where does your mind go? Do you create an illustration?
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence (superiority). For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross."
Colossians 1: 15-20 NKJV
This passage just blows me away. I find myself gathering these thoughts as I read, reread and mulled over this passage.
Here is Jesus described in His most venerable form. He has experienced all the trials and joys we have, to an even greater extent. This gives Him the preeminence over every single being created.
He is BEFORE ALL THINGS. Nothing, NOTHING, can consist or exist without Him. He is the reason things are created and why we have breath. He holds the key to life and His will is done when that life is taken. He is the Provider. We must lean on Him and leave ourselves daily so that our hearts may be molded by Him.
He doesn't flaunt His eminence, but instead humbly offers His sacrifice to us. He became life and lived it perfectly. He took death for our mistakes.
The cross is the inexpressibly wonderful evidence of God's love for us.
This world is going to shambles. Through his death, Jesus humbly made peace with us for something He didn't even cause. We did. We caused this and continue to cause this through our choice of where our allegiance lies. Originally He offered a perfect world, but now, He offers us individual reconciliation, complete surrender through our request to let Him be in us.
In the words of my father:
"Surrendering to Jesus is the easiest and hardest thing to do. Easiest because all we have to do is, well, surrender and submit to his will. Hardest because we have to empty our self of self.
"Once we surrender, we are all in. He is the Creator of the Universe. He can recreate us into His [new] creation."
I so hope I get better at choosing Him daily. I want to love Him with my whole heart and I want everyone else in the world to know that He is here. There is nothing standing in the way of you and Jesus!
Kasondra Reel is a junior guest writer studying nursing.