Remember when Jesus was nailed to the cross. The scripture says in the 23rd chapter of Luke’s gospel that Pontius Pilate posted this notice above Jesus’ head “This is the King of the Jews” (v. 38). But the truth is that Jesus is way more than simply the King of the Jews. The reality is that Jesus is King of the universe. I love the quote by Dietrich Bonheoffer who said of Christ- “In Jesus Christ the reality of God entered into the reality of the world. Henceforth one can speak neither of God nor of the world without speaking of Jesus Christ. All concepts of reality which do not take account of Him are abstractions”. Jesus is truly King of Kings and Lord of Lords, whether we acknowledge Him as such or not.
Paul in writing to the Colossians in the 2nd chapter of that epistle writes “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority” (v.9-10, NASB). These 2 verses are probably the 2 key verses in the epistle. The question is raised by many today- Is Christ alone adequate? These verses teach very clearly Jesus’ deity and His supremacy. They are the rock upon which all attempts to disprove Christ’s deity are “shattered”. “In Him”, that is in Christ, the fullness of deity is housed. Jesus is the place of residence for the Almighty God. He is the temple and the seat of the Godhead. The word “fullness” speaks of the unbounded powers and attributes of God that dwell in Christ. In the Old Testament God’s presence dwelt in the temple in the glory cloud that represented the special presence of God in the Holy of Holies. Today the fullness of God’s presence rests in Jesus Christ. He is supreme even as He is seated in the heavens reigning in righteousness.
Verse 10 tells us that we have been made complete “in Him”. The word “complete” is in the perfect tense, which speaks of something that leaves a lingering effect of an ongoing result. When the human race fell we were left in the state of incompleteness. Unsaved people live in a spiritual state of incompleteness. But when we find Christ (or better He finds us) we are brought into a state of completeness and all our needs are supplied through the Lord Jesus Christ.
My sister made it to the Grand Canyon as part of her “bucket list” of things she wanted to do. She was overwhelmed by the majesty of the view from the rim of the canyon. And yet the created universe is really just “window dressing” for Christ’s supremacy. Let us never forget the great God we serve when we walk with the Lord Jesus Christ and yield our lives to Him.
All for Christ,
Pastor Rich Sivo
