November 25, 2014
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

He Must Have Supremacy

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

All-encompassing God, enclose me in Your goodness until I am overcome with Your praise.

Read Colossians 1:15-23

[15] The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16] For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. [17] He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. [19] For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. [21] Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. [22] But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation- [23] if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

“D. L. Moody (1837-1899) would never bow to the syncretism of his day. Like Paul, he preached a Christ preeminent–peerless, supreme, all-sufficient, and clearly presented” (Warren Wiersbe). That’s the same Christ our syncretistic world needs to hear about!

“I believe in a bit of scientology, Catholicism, Judaism and the eastern philosophies. I like a bit of each. I am a hybrid.” The actress Nicole Kidman expresses the pluralism that is found in almost every corner of the world. In this atmosphere, the exclusive and unique claims of Christianity don’t go down too well. Paul’s world was similar. A key challenge faced by the Colossian church was syncretism: they could have Jesus, it was suggested, but alongside him they needed a few other spiritual masters, a few additional powers and authorities to supplement their faith.

The key to this section–and the whole book–is verse 18: “that in everything he might have the supremacy.” Jesus is not one option among many. Christianity is inescapably exclusive because of Jesus. First, he has a unique relationship to God. He is the image of the invisible God (15), who shows us what God is like. He is the fullness of God (19), so if we have Christ, we have God himself. Second, he is in a unique relationship to the universe. He existed before the universe began (17), he was the agent of creation (16), and he is also its sustainer (17). As if this were not enough, he is also the purpose of creation (16). In him all things hold together, and are created both through him and for him. Third, Paul highlights Jesus’ unique work on the cross, reconciling alienated sinners to himself (20-22). Everything finds its completion and its unity in him.

No wonder Jesus has the supremacy! This is why we proclaim him as Lord. If we are tempted to think that other religious activities, or occult powers, or philosophies are needed, Paul couldn’t be clearer. If you have Jesus you have enough.

Apply

Paul’s three themes regarding the uniqueness of Christ represent a powerful apologetic for the Christian faith. Write down briefly an exclamation of these themes in words that a non-Christian could understand.

Closing prayer

Risen and exalted Christ, You reign and You rule. Forgive me for waffling on the issue of Your exclusiveness. It’s not a message our culture wants to hear. Strengthen me with courage.

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