The very Word of God made flesh came to dwell among us, to carve out a special people to call His own. This precious gift of salvation from God is offered to ALL who accept it by faith. No greater love exists than this that Jesus would suffer for the sins of mankind and once and for All conquer sin and death.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Hebrews 9:22 22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Romans 3:23 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Once Christ died there was no more need for sacrifice.
“If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.” Merry Christmas, everybody. Max Lucado
“He became like us, so we could become like Him.” “Angels still sing and the star still beckons.” And from Isaiah 9, verse 6: “God has given a Son to us. His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, and Prince of Peace.”
When the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to plot against Jesus, Caiaphas, the high priest, said it was better for them if one man should die for the people (John 11:50). Caiaphas' statement and Pilate's words make it clear that Jesus was indeed a sacrifice: They were ignorantly preparing the ultimate Passover Lamb with every step Jesus took toward the cross. Pilate referred to Jesus as "this man" (John 18:29), then later presented Him, scourged and wearing a crown of thorns, as "the man" (John 19:5). And eventually, Pilate stated the ultimate truth about Jesus as he said to the Jews, "Behold your King!" (John 19:14).
Not unlike the lambs the Jews were instructed to sacrifice at Passover, Jesus had dwelled with the people in intimate proximity, close enough to be entirely accepted as their Lamb. Yet while some did accept Him, the majority rejected Him. Hardened hearts prepared an innocent man for death on that day of Preparation long ago, without noticing the beautiful irony: Jesus was and is the ultimate Passover Lamb. First 5
We easily forget, don't we... the cathartic power of grace?
Letting ourselves be unbelievably bolstered, and loved and held, and comforted. In tears and in laughter. In flawed and exquisite beauty.
So. We have the capacity to spill light... yes, even and especially from our broken and flawed places.
We have the capacity to be a home for grace, not judgment.
We have the capacity to be a home for empathy, not intolerance.
We have the capacity to be a home for compassion, not meanness.
We have the capacity to be a home for hope, not fear. Sabbath Moments
Colossians 1:15-18
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 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. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 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. The New King James Version
Firstborn could denote a priority in time or in rank. The word does not describe Christ as the first being created in time because the hymn proclaims that all things were “created by Him” and that “He is before all things.” Jesus is the eternal One who was before all creation. The idea of firstborn in the Hebrew culture did not require that one be the first son born. This was not the case with either Isaac or Jacob. But they were the firstborn in the sense that they were rightful heirs to the line of their fathers. Being firstborn referred more to rank and privilege than to order of birth.
Since Christ is God, He is supreme in rank over all creation. Yet He is not only the transcendent deity who created us; He is the One who died on our behalf and was subsequently raised from dead. Thus He is also the firstborn from the dead. The first One who experienced the true resurrection.
This early Christian hymn emphasizes the superiority of Christ over all creation. Christ is the One who created all things, whether they be material or immaterial, seen or unseen. All things were created through Him and for Him: Not only did Jesus create all things; everything was created for His purposes where Christ is said to be the “heir of all things”.
But the glory of the earth, the heavens, or the sun, moon, and stars cannot be compared with the glory of His new creation. Following the celebration of Christ’s authority over all creation, this early Christian hymn proceeds to proclaim His authority over the church. He is the head of His own body, which is the church. No one should underestimate the significance of the church, for it is in fact Christ’s body. The sovereign Creator of the universe, as Head of the church, provides leadership and oversight over it. No wonder He is so jealous for it.
Christ was the first to be raised from the dead. His own resurrection guarantees that the church will one day be resurrected. The NKJV Study Bible
Jesus Christ makes the Father and the Spirit visible to people.
Paul later draws on the notion of resembling God when writing about how people should treat one another. Jesus as the Image of God in this context, the Greek word used here, prōtotokos, affirms Christ’s supremacy and sovereignty over all things. In its old testament context, prōtotokos refers primarily to preeminent status, as the Israelites recognized the firstborn son to have special privileges.
There is nothing outside the scope of Christ’s sovereignty. Since all things—natural and supernatural—were created through Him, they are subject to His authority. The head indicates Christ’s leadership of the Church. His authority and empowerment enable the body of Christ to grow and mature. Christ. As Head, ekklēsia, refers to an assembly of people. In Christian contexts, it describes the people who assemble in the name of Christ. The firstborn of the dead refers to Jesus’ resurrection, which Paul regards as a template for the resurrection of all believers. Faithlife Study Bible
John 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
Romans 11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
Ephesians 1:21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Ephesians 1:22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
No comments:
Post a Comment