The Whole Story
Colossians
1:15-23
Every once in a while, Scripture pulls back the veil and gives us a glimpse of glory so staggering, so overwhelming, that it leaves no room for small thoughts about Jesus. Colossians 1:15–20 is one of those passages. In these verses, Paul doesn’t merely describe Christ — he exalts Him. He lifts our eyes to see the cosmic Christ, the One who is “the image of the invisible God,” the firstborn over all creation, the Creator and sustainer of everything that exists. These aren’t throwaway titles — they are thunderous declarations.
Jesus is not just a good teacher, a moral example, or a religious figure. He is the visible revelation of the invisible God. He existed before time, stands above creation, and holds the galaxies together by the word of His power. But even more than that — He is the head of the church, the firstborn from the dead, and the One in whom all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. And by His cross, He has made peace. Peace between sinners and a holy God. Peace between heaven and earth. This passage reminds us that the Jesus we worship is not small, local, or tame — He is Lord of all. Every molecule in the universe bows to His authority. Every corner of creation exists for His glory. And the staggering mystery of the gospel is this: the One who made all things also came to reconcile all things.
Colossians
1:15–20 is not just a hymn of praise — it is a call to reorient everything in
our lives around the supremacy of Christ. Because if He truly is before all
things and in Him all things hold together, then there is no part of our lives,
our churches, or our world that He does not rightfully claim as His own.
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.
The
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001
by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Colossians
1:15-23
Discussion
Questions
- What comes to your mind when you hear the word “supreme?”
- What is the difference between something being prominent and something being preeminent?
- How does Christ as Creator reshape how you view your life?
- How does Christ being over your salvation bring your assurance and surrender?
- Why do people struggle to put Christ first even when they believe He is supreme?
Closing
Thoughts
Colossians
1:15–23 lifts our eyes to a massive, glorious truth of Jesus. He is Creator
over all things, Head of the Church, and Savior of sinners. Nothing in your
life exists outside His authority, and nothing in your story exists outside His
redemptive power. When Christ is truly first, our lives naturally begin to
reflect His rule in visible ways. The supremacy of Christ is not merely
something we believe. It is something we live out in everyday faithfulness and
gospel witness. When Jesus is first, our homes, workplaces, relationships, and
conversations begin to point others to Him.
Living
on mission begins with placing Christ at the center of everything. Our
obedience, our generosity, our forgiveness, and our courage to speak flow from
a life rightly ordered under His rule. As a community of believers, we are
called not only to celebrate Christ’s supremacy together but to carry that hope
into a broken world together.
Identify
one person this week to intentionally love, serve, invite, or share the gospel
with. Pray daily for them and look for open doors to live on mission.
END
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