Reflections On Reconciliation Series

What is reconciliation? What does the Bible say about reconciliation? Why do we need to be reconciled with God? We considered previously the concept of Redemption, drawing attention to the sin-bearing death of Jesus Christ on our behalf. Reconciliation is the result of that substitutionary atonement, the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Let us consider what the Scripture says about it.

Open your Bible to the book of Colossians and I would like for you to follow with me as I read from chapter 1: verse 15 to 20, that we might have the scriptural understanding of the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ, is not only in terms of our Reconciliation, but in every area of our salvation.

Bible says “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 created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”(Colossians 1:15-20)

Paul's epistle to the Colossians is filled with foundational truths that focus completely on the Person, Position, preeminence and Work of Jesus Christ. These six verses are really the core of what Christianity Is: Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation; there is no other name under heaven by which to be saved. Paul shares the supremacy of Christ who saved us. There are no other secret truths or greater levels of spirituality than this that Christ Himself is the mystery revealed, this One in whom we have hope and salvation.

Paul does not stop by telling us that Jesus is uniquely God in human form. He goes on to emphasize his point. "For by him all things were created." Since Christ created all things we owe our allegiance and our worship to Him. Jesus is not only "before all things" we are also told that "in him all things hold together." The implications are simple: We are not "independent" Without Him we could do nothing. We ought to be grateful. Every day we live is a gift from our Lord. The passage ends with these words, "so that in EVERYTHING he might have supremacy." Jesus is Supreme. It's all about Jesus. He made everything, He holds everything together, He has inherited everything, and so He has first place in everything. Since it's all based on Him, then we should understand that if we're going to be reconciled in our relationship with God, it's all going to be about Him too. "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (19-20) the sufficiency of Christ is not only in terms of our salvation, but in every area of our lives.

In Colossians 1:15-20 Paul provided us with seven characteristics of Christ that reveal Jesus is God.

First, Jesus is "the image of the invisible God." Jesus said that He and the Father were one. He said that if anyone has seen Him then they have seen the Father. He is not a replica of God, He was not created by God but, He is God.

Second, Jesus is "the firstborn over all creation." The word "firstborn" does not mean that He was created but instead uses family language to show that He is first in position and importance over all things created.

Third, Jesus created all things. He is the center of everything that was, and is, and is to come. He is over creation, over heaven and earth, over the visible and invisible, and over rulers and authorities. Jesus is the Supreme Authority.

Fourth, Jesus is "the head of the body, the church." The church is a body of believers bonded together by their love for Christ. The purpose of the church then is to glorify Christ and to do His will on earth.

Fifth, Jesus is "the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead." He is Lord even over death itself. Jesus came to earth as fully God and fully man. He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. But, death could not hold Him. He rose from the grave and, in doing so, conquered sin and death. He is Supreme. There is none like Jesus.