Wednesday, 7 May, 2014
Colossians 1:15-23
Yesterday’s scripture from John’s Gospel celebrates the profound mystery of the incarnation: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (v. 1)”. “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth (v. 14). Today’s scripture celebrates this same great mystery, with a different style and perspective. John 1:3, for example, says, “All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being.” Colossians 1:16 says, “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.” How exalted above all is our Lord Jesus Christ, whom we worship and serve!
Indeed, these scriptures encourage and inspire us to celebrate the pre-eminence of our Lord Jesus Christ, to proclaim his greatness as we do each week in the liturgy, and to worship him with our whole hearts.
But today’s scripture does not leave us in heavenly celebration. Colossians 1:21 reminds us that we “were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds.” What a jarring comedown! But Christ “has now reconciled [us] in his fleshly body through death.” Christ will now present us to God “holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” What wonderful work of Christ! Yet, we have our part too; we must “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that [we] heard.”
Yes, let us celebrate the exaltation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us rejoice, let us proclaim his greatness, and let us worship reverently. Let us give thanks that he has reconciled us to God and will present us to God holy, blameless, and irreproachable. And, in joy and gratitude, let us continue in the faith, stable and steadfast in the hope of the gospel.
Blessings on the Way,
-- Robert Kruse
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