I. The Word: Colossians 1:15-17 (NRSV)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for 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. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Reflection Questions

1. What’s so special about Jesus?
2. When you read/hear about God in the creation story, do you think of Jesus?
3. Why does our salvation depend on Christ’s divinity?

Jesus is special; more special than your kindergarten teacher told you that you were (I’m looking at you, fellow Millennials). He’s also more special than a platypus, flying squirrel, and anglerfish. We know this because God the Father didn’t ask a flying squirrel to die for the sins of mankind. Heck, God already gave humans the option of sacrificing animals, but we humans kept failing because of our sinful nature.

You’re likely thinking, “I’ve never heard ‘flying squirrel’ and ‘sins of mankind’ in a sentence together”. But, that means you’re missing the point! This passage points out that all of creation, including presidents, trees, supernovas, your weird Uncle, String Theory, and flying squirrels, bows down to this divine entity of Christ. And Christ’s ability to provide never-ending salvation hinges on his divinity. If Christ was simply another result of creation, a flying squirrel could’ve absolved your sins just as well as Jesus; and let me tell you, woodland creatures don’t absolve sin very well.

In all seriousness, I often forget that Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and The Father are all one and have always been One. I regularly find myself viewing The Father as the only “God” mentioned in the Old Testament, and thinking that Jesus comes later. It takes ridiculous analogies (like above) to help me remember that Christ has always been I am and was slaughtered for our shortcomings from the Beginning. Forgetting this and viewing Christ as a created afterthought would make him no different than any animal sacrifice, and thus with no power for eternal salvation.

“You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake.” – 1 Peter 1: 18-20 (NRSV)

Prayer

Thank You for revealing your triune nature to us. Help us remember that our salvation only comes through the divine Son. Please place non-believers in our path so we can show them your special nature and redeeming power. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.