Colossians 1:15-23 - Jesus is God and our reconciliation is through and because of Him - only Him!

What does this passage teach us about Jesus?

Observation:

We know from the end of the previous passage that Jesus has delivered us and given us redemption.

In this passage we learn Jesus is:

• the image (likeness, representation, resemblance)* of the invisible God
• the firstborn of all creation
• before all things
• the Head of the body (a sound whole body, slave)*
• the beginning
• the firstborn from the dead
• preeminent (first in rank/influence)* in everything
• by/through/in/for Him:
• all things were created
• all things hold together
• all the fulness (repletion [well-supplied], completion)* of God was pleased to dwell
• to reconcile (protect, fully cover)* to himself all things
• making peace by the blood of the cross

We also learn that the Colossian church, who were once alienated (estranged)* and hostile (hateful, enemy)* in mind/deeds, have now been reconciled (protected, fully covered)* in order to be presented holy (sacred, pure)* and blameless (unblemished, faultless)* and above reproach (unaccused, blameless)* before Him.  

*from Strong’s Concordance

Interpretation:

Jesus is supreme.  He is God. 

We are reconciled to God only because of Jesus.

Reconciliation is necessary because we are all born sinners and sin separates us from God.  But the good news is that Jesus came and took the penalty for our sin, and defeated death to live again, in order to make us pure so that we can abide in (and be intimate with) Him.  

It’s all because of Jesus.  

Application:

Through Jesus’s death and resurrection he has given me the gift of reconciliation.  Am I living in such a way that I am humbly acknowledging and appreciating this gift or am I living irreverently, disrespectfully, blasphemously, profanely?  Am I living a life of thanksgiving, praise, worship?  Am I sharing the good news with others, telling them that they need and can themselves have this same gift?