Who Is Jesus?- All This and More

Who Is Jesus? Stephanie Nickel encourages us to know who He is, and learn more about Him, whether we believe in Jesus or not.

Who Is Jesus?

Colossians 1:15-20 says,

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And 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, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross”

Colossians 1:15-20

Whether we’re believers in Jesus or not, we must learn who He truly is. And there’s always more to learn and understand.

Who Is Jesus?- He Is The Image Of God

Jesus is the image of God. This reminds me of John 14:5-7, which says,

“Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’”

John 14:5-7

This passage alone is worthy of an entire series of devotionals, but for today, let’s think about the last three sentences:

“No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

“If you have known me …”

The statements that follow are sufficient reason to dig into today’s passage and others like it throughout the Scriptures.

Who Is Jesus?- He Is The Firstborn Of All Creation

Colossians 1 goes on to say that Jesus is “the firstborn of all creation.” He didn’t come into existence a mere 2,000 or so years ago. That was only the beginning of His life as the Son of Man. From eternity past, He always was—and always will be—the Son of God.

What was Jesus’ role in creation? “All things were created through him.”

Why did creation come into existence? “All things were created through him and for him.” The universe, Planet Earth, you and I … It was all created for Jesus. How are you and I living that out this day?

Before we move on from this reality, let’s take a closer look at this verse. Not only did Jesus create the galaxies, the mountain vistas, and the thundering waterfall. He also created thrones and dominions and rulers and authorities.

Who Is Jesus?- He Has Everything Under Control

When we look at the governments of the Earth—whether or not we would deem them truly wicked, as in the case of an oppressive regime—we must remember that the Lord has not lost control.

We must remember Daniel 2:21, which says, “… he removes kings and sets up kings” and Romans 13:1, which says,

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

Romans 13:1,

These verses lead to many questions that I can’t begin to address. But I do know this: the more we get to know Jesus, the more we can rest in the knowledge that He has everything under control. We can trust Him completely.

Not only did Jesus exist “before all things,” He holds them altogether. If Jesus were to loosen His grip, unlike the freedom we, as humans, so desperately seek, our molecules would simply fly apart and we would no longer exist. The same is true of all creation. Our Saviour has power beyond what we can truly begin to fathom.

Who Is Jesus?- He Is The Head Of The Body

The author now narrows the focus. He goes from speaking of all creation, from all world leaders, to the Christian community. Jesus is the head of the body. It’s our responsibility to discover who the Lord is and what directions He has given us. Only then will we be able to take our thoughts captive as it says in 2 Corinthians 10:5 and exercise the mind of Christ, which He has given His sons and daughters. (See 1 Corinthians 2:16.)

And although we can’t completely understand the Trinity—one God expressing Himself as Father, Son, and Spirit—the next portion of the passage should destroy any doubt as to whether Jesus was fully God as well as fully human. It says, “… all the fullness of God” dwelt in Him.

This is one of the amazing things about the Scriptures: although there will always be mystery, those things we can’t fully grasp this side of heaven, some truths are clear.

Why Did Jesus Come? Reconciliation!

And why did Jesus come? What was His earthly ministry? Reconciliation. It’s a wonderful word and a wonderful truth. Think of the joy you feel when a rift between yourself and a loved one is healed. Your heart overflows with joy and wonder at what the future will hold. Think for a moment about the reconciliation Jesus came to bring, reconciliation between God and those created in Him image. Amazing!

Jesus achieved this reconciliation by shedding His blood on the cross. We must never forget what it cost Him.

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