Colossians 1:15–28 (NRSV)
Read Colossians 1:15–28 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; Verse 16for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-all things have been created through him and for him. Verse 17He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Verse 18He is 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. Verse 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, Verse 20and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. Verse 21And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, Verse 22he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him- Verse 23provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel. Verse 24I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. Verse 25I became its servant according to God's commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, Verse 26the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. Verse 27To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Verse 28It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Devotion
Here’s a passage philosophers might call cosmology: What can humans say about the cosmos, about the BIG picture? Scientists over the last centuries seem to have provided the most extensive picture with radio telescopes, unmanned probes and well-grounded speculation about the big bang and expanding universe. Are we imploding or flying apart at the speed of light?
Paul sees it all grandly and sufficiently being held together by Christ, who was there at the beginning and reconciles even the opposing forces of the universe by his death on the cross. More important, that cosmic event is for you, to present you blameless before the holy God. And we, like Paul, are commissioned for a cosmic venture to make such mysteries known to unbelievers – perhaps to those who have only science for their cosmology. The words and witness of Christ’s cross are more expansive and comprehensive than the best human explorations of mind or matter.
Prayer
Thank God, you understand the biggest pictures. We will rely on the wonder of creation and cross to satisfy our deepest questions and our simplest longings. Amen.