Supreme

 

After a few days looking at specific names given for Jesus in the Scriptures, I want to take a step back and look at another passage that is just jam-packed with details about who Jesus is.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything. For God was pleased to have all fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile everything to Himself by making peace through the blood of His cross – whether things on earth or things in heaven.” Colossians 1:15-20

I read this passage and there is one word that just kind of jumps from the text—supremacy, but what does it mean to be supreme? Merriam-Webster defines supreme like this, “highest in rank or authority; highest in degree or quality; ultimate, final.” Jesus is supreme in anything and every way we might think of. He is once again identified as creator; this time not only of the world we can see and touch but also of the world that we cannot see. But Paul takes it even farther, for Jesus is not just the creator of all things, but all things were created for Him. If that wasn’t enough, there is yet another layer to Christ’s supremacy as creator since our very continued existence- in fact the continued existence of all things- depends upon Jesus. He “holds all things together.” As the creator for whom all things were made and through whom all things hold together, Jesus has the ultimate control over everything else. That gives him the highest rank and the ultimate authority, and that makes Jesus supreme.

We could stop there and have an excellent argument for why Jesus is supreme, but the passage doesn’t stop with Christ’s supremacy as creator. Jesus is the beginning, the firstborn, the head of the church. God wanted Him to have first place in all things.  I have one child that always, always, ALWAYS wants to be first in line- whatever we’re doing, even when there isn’t a line. She wants to be in front. There have been a few times though when she found out that it wasn’t always best for her to be at the front- like those times when we’re headed somewhere and she doesn’t know which way to go. She can make a decision and feel strongly about it, but no matter how much she believes in her choice, it may not be the correct or best way to go. In those moments, she often finds that by the time she sees her error, she has lost her position and is now at the back of our group and racing to catch up. We don’t have to worry about that with Jesus. As our creator and an eternal being who is eternally present throughout all of time as we know it, Jesus is the best suited and the only one who can perfectly lead us along the right and best path. He doesn’t make the wrong choice. He won’t find Himself suddenly at the back of the group because of an error on His part. He and He alone- as part of the trinity- can be the first in everything without mistake or uncertainty. Jesus is supreme in His leadership and His knowledge.

These first truths about Jesus’ supremacy make the last one all the more incredible. For with Jesus’ obedience to death on a cross and later victory over death, Jesus became the supreme atonement for our sins. He was able to do what no sacrifice before could ever have attempted. He provided reconciliation for everyone who ever had or ever would live. Because of Jesus’ actions on the cross, no other sacrifice will ever be required of us. His atonement is complete and perfect; it is the ultimate and only one needed.

He is amazing; He is supreme, and He invites us to join Him, leave all of our burdens with Him and find rest in Him. How else can we respond than to choose to dwell at His feet?

Verses to contemplate:
Hebrews 1:1-3, Isaiah 43:11-13, John 5:21-23

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

All this and more Lord, we lay at Your feet. You alone are worthy of our praise. You alone deserve the first place in our hearts, lives and world. May we live each day for You, bringing glory and honor to Your name.