A Picture of Jesus

July 26, 2009  Colossians 1:15-23

In a preschool classroom, a little girl was working intently on a drawing. Her teacher noticed her concerted effort, so she went over to ask her what she was drawing. The little girl replied, “I’m drawing a picture of God.” The teacher responded, “That’s nice, dear. But you know, we don’t really know what God looks like.” Unfazed, the little girl never even looked up from her drawing as she said, “That’s because I’m not finished with my picture yet.”

What does God look like? We all have images in our head. Yours and mine will not be the same as those of people in other parts of the world, but for all He is that “Beautiful Savior.” Today, as we continue our study of Colossians under the theme “Living as Disciples…Facing Opposition,” we’ll be looking with our mind’s eye at a Picture of Jesus that Paul paints with his words. In this letter, Paul was addressing some false teachings that paid lip service to Jesus but did not really believe He was the Savior, or that He had done everything necessary for people to be saved from sin. So Paul wants to be sure his readers have a clear picture of who Jesus is. It is interesting that Paul does not try to argue with the false teachers. He simply overwhelms them with the truth of the Gospel.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.   

When we hear “image” we think “picture” or “likeness.” However, this means more than just a representation or even a reproduction. Jesus is the personification of God. The invisible God is visibly seen in the incarnation, Jesus taking on flesh, becoming man. God shows himself to mankind in Jesus. This is how we best know who God is – the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.

In the creation account, we read that Adam and Eve were created in the image of God as a reflection of Creator. But that is not what is being described here. Jesus was not created in the image of God –He is the Creator, so that image is an essential part of His being, who He is. 

16 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.

Normally when we speak of the work of creation, we think of God the Father. However, this is just one of many passages that tell us the Son, Jesus, was involved in the creating process.

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Hebrews 1:1-3a In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. ³ The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

The incomprehensible unity of the Triune God is something we can never fully grasp. Jesus is fully God and one with the Father and the Spirit. Our Triune God is Maker and Savior and Comforter.

17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.   

This is a reference to time, not His rank in Creation. He is eternal, without start or end. He is also the one who gives the world its proper balance. The philosophers of Paul’s days talked about a “living force” that held everything together. Many today use similar terminology. But Paul wants his readers to understand that what holds this world together is not a vague, unidentifiable force. It is Jesus Christ, in whom we live and move and have our being. Jesus is the Lord of the universe. (Peoples Bible Commentary, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, CPH, p. 128)

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.   

In addition to being Lord of all, Jesus is also the head of His Church. Paul describes Jesus in these terms repeatedly (2:10; Ephesians 1:22-23; Romans 12:5). Just as a human body cannot live without its head, so the church cannot exist without Christ. The head contains the brain, which we know is the nerve center. Science has also discovered that a gland at the base of the brain controls the growth of the body. Likewise, it is only through Christ that the church can live and grow.

And we are also reminded that He was the first raised to ETERNAL life BODILY, but He will not be the last. All who believe that He died to pay for their sins will receive the forgiveness He earned. They will also rise to eternal life.

1 Corinthians 15:20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Firstfruits is a little different than firstborn, but both of those words imply that others will follow. Those others are believers, like you and me.

Have you been seeing the picture of Christ that Paul is painting for us here? The phrases of praise he puts one on top of the other are like brush strokes that continue to add to the beauty of the image! Jesus is supreme, eternal, Savior, crucified, risen, … a majestic portrait indeed. But our artist is not yet finished.

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.   

In painting this word picture of Christ, Paul wants us to understand that Jesus was not just a good guy and a great teacher and a role model. In addition to being a man, He is God, fully and truly. And being God, He was able to do what no one else could do: reconcile us to Himself. No other reconciliation is either possible or needed, by men or by angels or you or me. Jesus did everything necessary to make peace between God and men. He offered the only acceptable sacrifice, making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. He restored harmony. He has provided this reconciliation for all men, but the tragedy is that not all are saved. They have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. The forgiveness and life He eared is there for the taking, but not everyone does. They have not heard or have heard and not believed.. Either way, they need to hear the Good News. We need to share with them the picture we have of Jesus. 

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—  

Everyone starts out as enemies of God, needing reconciliation. By the grace of God, you and I are among those who have been reconciled. But we still struggle with evil behavior, which is the manifestation of evil minds, the natural desire of men to live contrary to God’s will. The is part of the opposition we face in our daily lives. Yet when we remember that we are His disciples, we know we can repent and confess and be forgiven.

BUT NOW indicates that a change has occurred. Those who were enemies and have come to faith are no longer enemies. God has restored the proper relationship with His creation. Jesus took the death we had merited, the death we deserve, and offered Himself as a substitution sacrifice.

23        — if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved 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.   

After you have been brought to faith by the power of the Holy Spirit, you must remain in the faith that God gives. And this is something the Spirit works in your as well. He reminds you of the Gospel that you heard and builds you up in the HOPE, the certainty, that is yours because of Jesus.

We must continue in the faith, living as disciples, because there will be opposition. Jesus said,

John 16:33  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Because of all the opposition we face in our lives, we need to make sure we have an accurate “picture” of who Jesus really is: God’s Son, our Beautiful Savior.