In the Shadow of the Cross

It is a shame that the Christ of Christmas is not universally recognized or fully understood. For many, Jesus was not God or even truly human. The work He accomplished through the cross is not understood or believed. His deity and His sovereignty is not believed by many people, or they wish to add some religious system or legalist standards to His redeeming act of taking our sin punishment on the cross. For others, Jesus is not even recognized as ever existing.

Our Bible paints a different picture. In Colossians, Paul explains the supremacy of person of Christ.

“He is the image of invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 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 supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him 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.”
(Colossians 1 ; 15-20 NIV)

Paul wrote this letter to the Colossians in response to false teachers of his day. The same basic false teachings are still present in our day. These are manifest in the New Age ideas, or the cults or other Gnostic thought. Jesus and the truth about Him are more important now more than ever. Jesus is God, without Him, Emmanuel (God with us) and His atoning death, we (you and I and all in history) could not be saved by our own sinfulness. With Jesus we can live in perfect righteousness, not because of our goodness, but because of His. As a man, He can be our perfect Advocate and Intercessor and Savior. As God, He can give us life forever.

Yes, Christ is God. He is the firstborn over al creation, the Protokotos, the Greek word is indicative of being over all things, not being firstborn in creation, but rather being firstborn over all things … stating Christ’s priority to all creation and sovereignty over all creation – in rank and in time. Christ is the Creator. He is being in the image of God. He is the Architect, the Builder and the Sustainer of the entire universe. “…all things have been created in Him, by Him and for Him…” The creation belongs to Jesus and it reflects His glory.

Chris is above all angels both good and evil. He is above all things seen and unseen, on heaven and on earth.

He told the Jews of His day, ‘before Abraham came into existence, I am”. They understood this phrase “I am” and realized that it was the name of God. They were ready to stone Him for blasphemy. Nevertheless, Christ Himself stated that He is the “I am” before anything was created.

He is the beginning of the creation, as the Creator, and the end of creation and the power that holds all creation together. Let that sentence sink in before you read on. He made everything, for His glory and holds all the molecules and atoms together so that creation as we know it exists. Only God can do that. He holds the laws of science, such as gravity, thermodynamics, and relativity. They all hold together through his great divine power.
This is mind blowing!

Christ is also the head of the body or His church. This headship does not belong to the Pope, or the ‘Prophet” or the LDS President or any other religious leader. The head and the ruler of the church is Jesus Christ. He is our model, our supreme ruler.

God was pleased with Jesus, so He gave everything to Him. Everything! Jesus is the sovereign God, Creator and Sustainer, Ruler and Supreme Lord. He has conquered every enemy. He is the source and origin of the church. He is the head and all should submit to His authority. God’s purpose is that Jesus will be Lord over all things and everything is given to Him!

As we celebrate Christmas, lets keep in our minds and in our hearts just Who we celebrating. If you need reminding, re-read Colossians 1: 15-20.

Jesus, the Child that was born of a human mother and of the Holy Spirit is God and man. He is the greatest Gift of all time. He is God’s love gift to all of us.
We see more and more nativity scenes where the Baby Jesus is not there. Christ is being removed from Christmas at an alarming rate. Jesus is our supreme and sovereign Lord and Savior. He is our greatest Christmas Gift! Merry Christmas everyone!

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