Text Message
The supremacy of Jesus
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-20 represents one of the earliest and grandest witnesses to the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ. Paul includes this great confession as part of a broader strategy to address some theological issues that threatened to destabilize the faith of many in the city of Colossae.
While some of these Christians wrestled with sexual indulgence and immorality, most fundamentally they were experiencing profound doubts about whether or not faith in Jesus alone was sufficient to meet life’s challenges.
There was no lack of answers. In fact, there was a group of very persuasive individuals (“false teachers” 2:4) who proposed a new version of the Christian faith or, more properly, a new version of Jesus.
New and improved versions, whether in computer software, soap, or cars, are generally welcome. What could possibly be wrong with a new and improved version of Jesus?
Everything! These false teachers were not really offering another version of the Saviour. They were just moving back to the human default position by offering a new version of the age-old religion of the Self, in this case expressing itself through legalism, extreme mysticism, and radical self-denial (2:8, 16, 18-23). Nothing new here.
The fundamental question asked by many is simple: Whom do we really trust? Where do we instinctively turn in crisis? What do we live for? Die for? Orient our values around? Where is the real source of power and victory?
Colossians 1:15-20 represents the heart of Paul’s response to this assault on Christology. The apostle understands the critical importance of leaving absolutely no doubt about the nature of Christ.
There can’t be a Jesus 2.0 or some version of Jesus plus, he says. Reality won’t allow it. Jesus is the exact representation of the invisible God. He is the “firstborn,” the prototokos of all creation.
Paul is not suggesting Jesus was created the first of all that came into being. In this context, prototokos shouts Jesus’ unique and absolute nature and status. Verse 16 proclaims it was through his agency that everything (note the crucial “heaven and earth,” also v. 20) came into existence. Not only was everything created by him, but everything, the entire universe no less, owes its very existence to the sustaining power of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the supreme authority. Above him, there is nothing. Beyond him, nothing. The fullness of God resides in him. He is also the head of the Church, the one to whom every Christian owes ultimate allegiance. He is the one we can trust.
Jesus Christ could command, and demand, our obedience because of who he is. But he doesn’t. This text also reminds us of the Great Rupture that brought death to the human race and a fundamental disruption to the very fabric of reality. For reasons beyond human comprehension, only one course of action could undo the disastrous results of that Great Rupture: the birth of the Son of God as a Jew, his death on a cross, and his resurrection from the dead. He who should never have died shed his blood so we could live.
Until Jesus comes back and establishes his kingdom once and for all, death will continue to afflict and humiliate us. But let’s not forget that what we see now is not the whole story. There is a chapter yet to be written. Jesus Christ is the firstborn from the dead. As he rose, so will we. And we shall live and reign with him forever.
Colossians 1:15-20 (link to BibleGateway.com)
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-20 represents one of the earliest and grandest witnesses to the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ. Paul includes this great confession as part of a broader strategy to address some theological issues that threatened to destabilize the faith of many in the city of Colossae.
While some of these Christians wrestled with sexual indulgence and immorality, most fundamentally they were experiencing profound doubts about whether or not faith in Jesus alone was sufficient to meet life’s challenges.
There was no lack of answers. In fact, there was a group of very persuasive individuals (“false teachers” 2:4) who proposed a new version of the Christian faith or, more properly, a new version of Jesus.
New and improved versions, whether in computer software, soap, or cars, are generally welcome. What could possibly be wrong with a new and improved version of Jesus?
Everything! These false teachers were not really offering another version of the Saviour. They were just moving back to the human default position by offering a new version of the age-old religion of the Self, in this case expressing itself through legalism, extreme mysticism, and radical self-denial (2:8, 16, 18-23). Nothing new here.
The fundamental question asked by many is simple: Whom do we really trust? Where do we instinctively turn in crisis? What do we live for? Die for? Orient our values around? Where is the real source of power and victory?
Colossians 1:15-20 represents the heart of Paul’s response to this assault on Christology. The apostle understands the critical importance of leaving absolutely no doubt about the nature of Christ.
There can’t be a Jesus 2.0 or some version of Jesus plus, he says. Reality won’t allow it. Jesus is the exact representation of the invisible God. He is the “firstborn,” the prototokos of all creation.
Paul is not suggesting Jesus was created the first of all that came into being. In this context, prototokos shouts Jesus’ unique and absolute nature and status. Verse 16 proclaims it was through his agency that everything (note the crucial “heaven and earth,” also v. 20) came into existence. Not only was everything created by him, but everything, the entire universe no less, owes its very existence to the sustaining power of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the supreme authority. Above him, there is nothing. Beyond him, nothing. The fullness of God resides in him. He is also the head of the Church, the one to whom every Christian owes ultimate allegiance. He is the one we can trust.
Jesus Christ could command, and demand, our obedience because of who he is. But he doesn’t. This text also reminds us of the Great Rupture that brought death to the human race and a fundamental disruption to the very fabric of reality. For reasons beyond human comprehension, only one course of action could undo the disastrous results of that Great Rupture: the birth of the Son of God as a Jew, his death on a cross, and his resurrection from the dead. He who should never have died shed his blood so we could live.
Until Jesus comes back and establishes his kingdom once and for all, death will continue to afflict and humiliate us. But let’s not forget that what we see now is not the whole story. There is a chapter yet to be written. Jesus Christ is the firstborn from the dead. As he rose, so will we. And we shall live and reign with him forever.
—Pierre Gilbert
____________________________________________________________________Colossians 1:15-20 (link to BibleGateway.com)
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers – all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross (NIV).
Pierre Gilbert is associate professor of biblical studies and theology at Canadian Mennonite University and MB Biblical Seminary, based in Winnipeg.
