The Greatness of Christ
Scripture Reading — Colossians 1:15-23
By him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... Colossians 1:16
It's staggering that the one who was brutally murdered only about 30 years before Paul wrote this letter--that is, Jesus--is now described as "the image of the invisible God" by whom all things were created. What in the world happened?
The resurrection happened. People say that the events of September 11, 2001, changed the way we look at the world--and no doubt they did and will for years to come. But the events of Easter changed forever the way we look not only at Jesus and the world but also at life and death, God and eternity.
We now know that Jesus is very great, that by him all things were created. It's too much to imagine. Someone has said that if you equated the distance from the earth to the sun, 93 million miles, to the thickness of one sheet of paper, then the distance to the next nearest star would be a stack of paper 70 feet high, and the width of our galaxy, the Milky Way, would be a stack 310 miles high. Our Lord Jesus created all this and so much more.
John's gospel puts it famously: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... Through him all things were made" (John 1:1-3). Then follows this shattering claim: "[This] Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (1:14)!
It is impossible to think too highly of Christ.
Lord Jesus, you are so much more than any of us can imagine. Glory and honor, praise and adoration, now and forevermore be yours! We pray in your matchless name. Amen.
About the author — Jack Roeda
Rev. Jack Roeda is the senior pastor at Church of the Servant Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and an adjunct professor of preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary. He is married to Carol Sue Kok, and they have three children and two grandchildren. Pastor Roeda has served two previous churches: Exeter (Ont.) Christian Reformed Church and Calvary Christian Reformed Church, Holland, Michigan.
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