SATURDAY December 22, 2018
Firstborn over Creation
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.
Colossians 1:15-17
This week we will celebrate Christmas, the birth of Christ. In Him we have redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7). The word redemption means “to be rescued by ransom.” We do not deserve redemption, but Christ paid for our salvation on the cross. Christians rejoice because they have an eternal hope––heaven.
Who then is Christ? In Colossians 1:15-17, we see the preeminence of Christ. The Greek word for image is “likeness,” and “supreme expression.” Jesus is God. Jesus was not created; He has equal power with God to create, but He is first above all things––which places Him as deity––as God. Firstborn speaks of Jesus’ supremacy and authority over all created things:
The word firstborn is translated from the Greek prototokos. The word portrays two eternal facets of Christ. It declares that He is the Head of Creation. “Firstborn” does not refer to age but to supremacy over all Creation
(Henry Gariepy).
Every created thing was made for Jesus Christ and for His glory. Man was made in the image of God to bring Him glory. The universe, including our earth, was made by Him for His glory. Jesus Christ holds everything in the universe together––every planet, every cell, and all atoms. The moment He lets go––everything would fly apart. Christ, who created earth, came to earth, to save those who live on the earth.
To some people Jesus is nothing. To others, He is something. Then there are those to whom Jesus is everything.
~Henry Gariepy~
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