This is one my favorite passages of the Bible because it says so much about the supremacy, preeminence, and every other multi-syllabled word that means “big” to describe Christ. He is indescribably greater than our small minds can imagine, and yet, Paul does a pretty good job of getting our minds going in the right direction.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were made by Him and for Him. (1:15-16)
I’m just going to let that soak in for a few minutes…
Jesus Christ:
Image of the Invisible God – God was made visible to us in a way that we can relate to, in a way that we can handle without being overwhelmed by His glory and holiness. God came to us. That is an incredible thought. People can get all excited about the thought of an extraterrestrial being coming to earth, but how much more exciting it is that God visited us. And of course, He continues to be with us in the invisible form of the Holy Spirit. The thought that God came to us in the person of Jesus Christ is just a profound and mind-boggling thought this morning for some reason.
The firstborn over all creation – Immediately one might ask, “Jesus was created? Wouldn’t that make Him less than God?” Let it be clear that Jesus was not created. He existed before anything was created (how else could everything have been created? He couldn’t, after all, create Himself!). No, the term “firstborn” is a biblical, metaphorical term that denotes first in importance or first in time (see Ps. 89:27 as an example). The term “firstborn” here “distinguishes Christ from all created things as before them in time and as supreme. He outranks all things in creation. Paul asserts Christ’s primacy over creation and not just within creation.” (1)
By Him all things were created – everything we can see and can’t see; every “human” and heavenly power was created by Him. Now that doesn’t mean these authorities or powers will always do what is pleasing in the eyes of Christ, but it does mean that regardless of their rebellion, Christ is still Lord over them all. There is much that could be said about this thought alone. He is Lord of everything. Everything.
They were made by Him and for Him – what is most remarkable about this truth is the fact that Jesus doesn’t treat His creation as a child would a toy or a spoiled adult would his possessions. While everything was created for Him, He treats His possessions as precious. Sometimes that brings discipline, but most often that brings gentle care, peace, and joy. We were made for Him, and I can think of no better person to be under the care of.
There is so much more to be gleaned from these two short verses. Why not take some time right now and ponder in amazement the significance of Christ, Who is above all, over all, for all, and with all?
(1) Garland, The NIV Application Commentary of Colossians