In our journey through Colossians, we have seen Paul give thanks for the church's faith, love, and hope. We have listened in on his prayer for them to be filled with the knowledge of God's will, to walk worthy, and to be strengthened by God's power.
And all of this, he says, is because we have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of God's dear Son. This raises the most important question in the universe: Who is this Son?
The world will give you a thousand different answers. Some say He was a good moral teacher. Others, a prophet. Others, a misunderstood revolutionary. But here, in what may be the most majestic and powerful description of Jesus in the entire Bible, the Apostle Paul silences all other opinions and presents the absolute truth. He wants to ensure that the Colossians—and we—understand that Jesus isn't just important; He is preeminent. He isn't just a part of the story; He is the story.
This passage gives us a divine portrait of Jesus. Let's look at three aspects of His absolute supremacy.
I. Christ is Supreme in Salvation (v. 14)
Before we can grasp His cosmic glory, we must first understand His personal work for us. Verse 14 says, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins."
Our relationship with this King begins right here. To be "redeemed" means to be bought back, to be set free from slavery. We were slaves to sin, held captive by the darkness. But Jesus paid the price—not with gold or silver, but with His own precious blood. Through Him, and Him alone, we have the forgiveness of our sins. This is the entry point into His kingdom. He is our Redeemer.
II. Christ is Supreme in Creation (vv. 15-17)
From our personal redemption, Paul explodes our view to a cosmic scale. He shows us that our Redeemer is also the Ruler of the entire universe.
He is the perfect Image of God (v. 15). "Who is the image of the invisible God." Do you want to know what God the Father is like? Look at Jesus. He is God made visible. He is not just a reflection; He is the exact representation of God's nature.
He is the Sovereign over Creation (v. 15). "The firstborn of every creature." This doesn't mean He was the first one created. The term "firstborn" in that culture signified supreme rank, honor, and inheritance. He is the heir and the ruler over all that has been made.
He is the Agent of Creation (v. 16). The verse proves He is not created because "by him were all things created." Everything you see—the stars in the sky, the mountains on the horizon—and everything you don't see—angels, spiritual powers—was made by Jesus.
He is the Goal of Creation (v. 16). Notice it also says all things were created "for him." The entire universe exists for His glory. You exist for Him.
He is the Sustainer of Creation (v. 17). "And by him all things consist," or "hold together." Jesus is the cosmic glue. The power that holds the atoms in your body together, that keeps the planets in their orbits, is the sustaining power of Jesus Christ.
He is not just Lord of the spiritual part of your life. He is Lord of physics, biology, art, and history. He is supreme over everything.
III. Christ is Supreme in the Church (vv. 18-19)
After showing us Christ's supremacy over the first creation, Paul now shows us His supremacy over the new creation: the Church.
He is "the head of the body, the church" (v. 18). He is our source of life, our authority, our direction. A body cannot function without its head, and the church cannot live without Christ as its absolute leader.
He is "the firstborn from the dead" (v. 18). Just as He was supreme over the first creation, He is supreme over the new creation by being the first to conquer death permanently. His resurrection is the guarantee of our own. He is the pioneer of the new creation.
And why all of this? The end of verse 18 gives the stunning summary: "that in all things he might have the preeminence." Preeminence means to be first, to be supreme, to hold the highest rank.
This was the Father's good plan. Verse 19 gives us the divine foundation for everything we have just read: "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell." Why is Jesus supreme? Why is He the Head? Why is He the Creator? Because the Father, in His joy and wisdom, decreed that the fullness of God Himself—all His power, His attributes, His very essence—would live in Jesus. He is not a partial representative; He is fully God.
Conclusion
This passage leaves no room for a small view of Jesus. He is not just a co-pilot in your life. He is not a consultant you call on when you're in trouble.
He is the Redeemer of your soul. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He is the Head of the Church and the Victor over death. The Father's will is that in all things, Christ would be first, because in Him, all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.
The question for us today is simple: Is He preeminent in your life?
Does Jesus have the preeminence in your schedule? In your finances? In your relationships? In your secret thoughts?
Let us not offer this magnificently supreme Savior a leftover place in our lives. He is worthy of first place. He is worthy of everything. Let's worship Him today as the Preeminent One.
