Admittedly, our Lesson title is a bit opinionated! Especially since the Gospels are sitting at the Head of the New Testament! Still, Colossians says some things about Jesus that are vital to our faith.
As I studied late last night, I read from a Book that summarizes Paul’s Presentation of Jesus in Colossians’ four relatively short chapters.
I share with you.
First, Jesus in His Relationship with God the Father!
For example, in Colossians 1:15 Jesus is the very “Image” of the “invisible God!” In ancient Greek culture, that would have been the equivalent of calling Jesus the very “Portrait” of God! (Jesus did say to His Disciple Philip one day … “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” John 14:9)
Second, Jesus in His Relationship with the world!
Right off, in Colossians chapter 1, Paul declares about Jesus … “By Him were all things created.” He is the Creator of the world! Of “all things!” (More detail … “All things that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him.” Colossians 1:16)
Third, Jesus in His Relationship to any other so-called “means” of salvation!
There simply is no other way to God! There is no other God, in fact! Paul, tell us please … “In Him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” ALL of God is in His Son! No “idol” is needed! No other “religion!” No other “Saviour!” See Colossians 2:9, quoted above.
Now dear readers, Bible students, that’s being Jesus-centered! Or, Christo-centric some call it. (And I have here barely scratched the surface!)
But WHY is Paul being so “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” in his writing to the Colossians?
Because certain Jesus denying heretics had tried to infiltrate the Church there in the Lycus Valley (where Colossae and Laodicea and Hierapolis were located. See Colossians 4:13, where these cities are mentioned by name.)
Men who did not believe Jesus was God. Or certainly did not accept Him as God in the flesh, with a human body!
Note … Paul did not choose to attack them negatively, listing all their false tenets or beliefs. HE JUST PRESENTED JESUS IN ALL HIS GLORY AND EXALTED PERSONHOOD!
And that’s the underlying reason why Colossians is so very, very “HIGH” on JESUS! And we, two thousand years later, are still reaping the benefits of Paul’s “High Christology!”
Paul even believes that Jesus is the Reason atoms and solar systems (from microscopically small to telescopically large) “hold together!” Read it, and believe it … “By Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:17, where “consist” literally means “to hold together!” Jesus is the Cohesive Power of the universe!
Wow!
And I know Him personally! You can as well …
— Dr. Mike Bagwell