Colossians 1:15-17

Yesterday, we considered Paul’s first two reasons that Jesus is supreme over all things. In response to the Gnostic beliefs that diminished the position of Jesus, Paul presented Jesus as the “firstborn over all creation” and the Creator of all things.

Today, let us consider the third and fourth arguments Paul gives for the supremacy of Christ over creation.

Third, Paul sees Jesus as the end, the goal.

…all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16b NIV

Peter O’Brien says “Paul’s teaching about Christ as the goal of all creation…finds no parallel in the Jewish wisdom literature or in the rest of the extant Jewish materials for that matter.” Everything began with Jesus and will end with Jesus. All things spring forth and all things return at His command. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.

If all things come from Jesus, then it would only make sense for us to live completely and passionately for Him. Paul stresses this in Romans 12:1…

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1 NIV

The fourth and final argument Paul gives for the supremacy of Christ in creation is that Jesus is also the sustainer of all things.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 NIV

In the Greek, “hold together” is in the perfect tense which conveys the idea that this is a continuous activity and without Jesus the universe would unravel. As Creator, Jesus holds all things together through His powerful Word.

Considering this truth, why do we try to solve all of our problems ourselves? Jesus, the Creator who sustains all things in creation surely can sustain and order our lives far better than we ever could. Why would we even try?

Questions to consider:
In what ways are you offering your life as a “living sacrifice” holy and pleasing to God?
What problems are you trying to solve yourself that you should turn over to Jesus?
Ask God today to help you make serving Jesus the end goal of your life and to help you trust His power to sustain and direct your life.