October 14, 2024 - Colossians 1

Paul writes here his great piece on the person of Christ:  “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (1:15-17).  He is Creator!  He is Sustainer!  He is Owner of all that exists!  He is Sovereign Ruler!  And even more gloriously, the Father has, through him, reconciled us to himself.  We, “who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him” (1:21,22).  Indeed, “How great . . . are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (1:27).

The God who reigns on high

the great archangels sing,

“Holy, holy, holy!” and cry

“Almighty King!

Who was, and is, the same,

and evermore shall be:

Jehovah, Lord, the great I AM,

we worship thee!”   -- Daniel ben Judah (14th century)