The Supremacy Of Jesus

Colossians 1vv15-20: The supremacy of Jesus

The world of technology is always changing, always advancing, which means that shortly after buying a mobile phone, we are being offered an upgrade, something new and improved. One of the problems facing the christian believers to whom the apostle Paul is writing, is that they are being offered something better than Jesus. So at the end of chapter 1, Paul reminds them how there is no upgrade when it comes to Jesus Christ! In 1vv15-20, Paul gives 2 reasons to make his point…

#1 – Jesus is the supreme creator of all things (vv15-17)

In v15 Paul begins by telling us that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God”. That means that the God of the bible who is invisible, is now visible in the person of Jesus Christ (Cf v19; see also John 1v18; Hebrews 1v3). But Paul does not stop there, he goes on to teach how Jesus is God, and he is the creator of everything, who by his power sustains everything (vv15b-17). Paul is wanting to make sure that the Colossians Christians understand just who Jesus is… and so keep him in His rightful place at the centre of the universe and the centre of their lives. These verses also challenge the Christian believer today, to examine our lives and see if Jesus is the focus of our lives, or have we moved him to the fringe? Does Jesus have supremacy in our lives, or is he just a supplement to our lives?

#2 – Jesus is the supreme reconciler of all things (vv18-20)

Here we learn that Jesus is not only sustaining this creation, but also creating a people (the church) for the new creation too! This is achieved through Jesus’ work of reconciliation… through the shedding of his blood on the cross. Reconciliation is a relational term, which speaks of a relationship that was broken, but has now been restored; the restoration of peace where there was rebellion and discord. We must not miss the cosmic nature of this work, as well as the personal. Jesus will reconcile “all things” which have been fractured because of sinful human rebellion. This includes our relationship with God, with each other, and with creation. This is only made possible because of the scandal of the cross: the supreme creator of all things paid the supreme sacrifice, and shed his blood in place of ours. He bore the punishment for our “evil deeds” (v21) so that we might be presented “holy and blameless” (v22). He rose from the dead (v18) so that all who trust in Him may look forward with confidence to the reconciliation of all things, the new heavens and the new earth. Jesus is supreme – there is no upgrade! Jesus is sufficient – praise Him!