11 January 2007

Today we move along in this first chapter of Colossians.

He (Christ) 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. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him god was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. (1:15-20)

Right before this passage, it says that 'we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins' in Christ. Now we have this long piece about who this Christ is. Being the "image of the invisible God" says enough for me...but it goes on. After rereading this several times I started to laugh because it is quite like two little kids bragging about one of their parents. "Oh yeh...well my dad can..." "Oh yeh...well my mom can...." This is all about who is for us and with and and alongside us. In other words, we are being told that no power and no time and nothing that has ever been created can top who is on our side...our hope and our strength for the day. "He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together." What a line! To which we are drawn to say, "Thanks be to God." No matter what force or power that tries to tie us up or tie us down, we are to be reminded of this odd and yet dynamic reference to the Christ of God...the invisible made visible for us. I would think that these are the strange kind of images that help to build the Spirit of resistance among faithful people during times of overwhelming persecution, oppression, and the need to defy the powers that make such situations like this. "Take my house, my kids, my spouse...Oh yeh...well, I'm still going to defy you...because you are not the last word...or the first word...or able to be born again out of death...or...or...or...!

Connection: Some days can feel and look a bit overwhelming. We are told that in the middle of such reality, there is also this stunning reality of God's presence with and for us.

Come, Lord of the Day, and help us through all that will arrive in front of us. We may not be sure of what to do or if we are able to do anything - and yet, by your gracious presence, we are given strength to carry on. Praise be you! Amen.