Colossians 1:15 (ESV)
[15] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
As the image of the invisible God Jesus clearly reveals to us the character and glory of God. He "is" the image of the invisible God. It doesn't say that he became the image, nor that he will be the image. It says that he is the image past, present and future. When we see Jesus we see God. Being the image of the invisible God makes a connection to us. People were created in the image of God. By disobedience we messed up that image. Jesus came as the perfect image of the invisible God to restore that image in us.
He is also the firstborn of all creation. The word "firstborn" can mean preceding. It can also mean preeminent. The Greek word does not necessitate that something had a beginning even though the English would seem to indicate that. We know from John 1 that in the beginning Jesus "was." He was, he was with God, and he was God. So Jesus did not have a beginning. With the Father and the Spirit he is eternal. As the firstborn of all creation he both preceded and has preeminence over all creation. He is the creator preceding and presiding over all that he created. As such he not only reveals the invisible God to us, he is God.
The Colossian heresy that Paul was addressing in this letter to the Colossians seems to favor mysticism and angelic messengers over Jesus. For them Jesus is perhaps considered their savior, but they seem to believe that in order to really know God they need something more. Even today we have all sorts of ways of adding to Jesus. It may be experience, religion, personal commitment, philosophy, eastern mysticism, etc. Any time we believe we need something more than Jesus to really know God we have moved into the realm of heresy. Jesus is the perfect expression of the character and glory of the invisible God. He precedes and is preeminent over all that is created. He is God and we need no other. The gospel is clear: "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved." Acts 16:31a
C. S. Lewis wrote that at this time of year there are two celebrations going on simultaneously, the secular celebration that includes gift giving, cards, etc. and the religious celebration of the birth of our savior. This Christmas let us not get so caught up in the secular holiday that we forget to worship the one who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. Put your faith in him alone today. Worship him this Christmas.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
Comments
Post a Comment