Colossians 1:11-20 (NRSV)
Read Colossians 1:11-20 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully
Verse 12giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. Verse 13He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, Verse 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 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.
Devotion
“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17
Quiet, gentle shepherding. This is not an attribute generally associated with leadership; leadership undertaken with an authority imbued by great knowledge. Paul was exposing a heresy in the Colossian church leaning toward Gnosticism. He was reminding the Colossians that, using knowledge to exert authority based on special information, was to deny the benefit of knowledge. Knowledge should be used to strengthen our relationship with Christ. From that flows a deeper commitment to service. This glorious fall day, strengthened by a joyfulness that comes from having endured a tough year, we are out in the community engaging in service where the love of Christ is made known. His love is made known through simple acts of kindness; using our “knowledge,” that Jesus loves us, to make a difference. Jesus, “image of the invisible God” holds us together and calls us to shared ministry based in service.
Prayer
Good and gracious Lord, thank you for being the glue that holds us together and for gifting us with knowledge of your love and grace. Strengthen and empower us for service in our communities and in the world. In Jesus' name. Amen