Today we look at one of my favorite passages in all of Scripture. After telling us that the Father has transferred us from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of His Son, Paul pauses to make a powerful declaration about the identity of this Son.
First, all things were created through Him. He is the agent of creation. Everything visible and invisible was created through Him. There is not an atom in reality that was not made through His power. Everything finds its origin in Him.
Second, all things were created for Him. He is the purpose of creation. The Father’s creation was not made because God was bored, because He needed companionship, or because He lacked anything. Creation is the Father’s gift to the Son. Everything in all creation finds its purpose in Him.
Third, He is before all things. He precedes creation. He is eternal and uncreated, existing before anything that was made. Yet He is not simply before all things in time, but also in priority and supremacy. Everything finds its place after Him.
Fourth, in Him all things hold together. He sustains creation. It is not enough that everything was created through Him and everything was created for Him. He Himself keeps everything in existence. Everything finds its continued existence in Him.
Fifth, He is the head of the church. He governs His redeemed people. He is not simply our God and King, but the directing Head of the church that bears His name. His will cannot be thwarted, and His dominion cannot be contained. Every Christian finds their Master and Lord, their guidance and authority, in Him.
Sixth, He is the firstborn from the dead. He inaugurates the resurrection life of the new creation. Through His resurrection, He has inaugurated the new life by which we who were dead are brought to life in Him. In Him we find life everlasting.
Finally, through Him God reconciles all things. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He has made peace by the blood of His cross. The One through whom all creation came into existence is the One through whom God brings about its reconciliation. In Him we find our peace with God.
That in everything He might be preeminent!
Behold the main character of history. The One through whom, by whom, and for whom all things were made and continue to exist.
All glory be to Him!
-steve