I’ve been rolling this idea around in my mind, on my walks, in my quiet times. I find it valuable for me to document where I am spiritually and mentally in this space. I sit on my bed, look out my window, and have my Bible open and ready. It’s been a lovely thing. I retain better and I know i am growing. I’m not sure how many of you are reading this, I do want this to be a ministry, so going forward, I am going to be experimenting with some new ideas to not only help me study, but maybe help you as well.
I’m not normally inept in computer programming things, but WordPress has me stumped as to posting pictures of screenshots, which is unfortunate. So I am left with giving you links to places to help enhance your study and well, mine. 🙂
There are two struggles, well, three, I constantly have on my radar. Fear, Difficult people and pain. I could take you through a study of fear, but, for this, I would rather refer you to my friend, Pam Gillaspie’s study starting in May, online or in person. Check it out. Pam Gillaspie
So that leaves me with my other two struggles. (I have more, it’s just these are the prominent ones, lol.) And I guess I could approach theses by actually looking for passages about these two subjects OR I could learn more about fitting myself for each occasion. Preparing myself.
I keep saying this over and over, but reading and rereading the Gospels has been a magnificent addition to my life. If you want to join me, Annie f. Downs has made it into a 10 minute daily podcast. I am beginning to see patterns, anticipate stories, see Jesus’ reactions to certain people, groups, situations.
And i could have studied certain people groups to learn how Jesus deals with them, but I think centering my eyes on the Rabbi rather than the storm is the best way for me. So, I begin my study of “in Christ Jesus.”
I start my study in Colossians and want to remember who is my Jesus. (Don’t pay attention to that horrid grammar.) Seriously the entire first chapter of Colossians sings. Let’s make a LIST! Starting in verse 15. List everything Paul tells you about your King. Don’t scroll yet. Fill this out for yourself. 🙂 Let’s discover together.
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.”
Colossians 1:15-23 NASB 95
Ready? Let’s make our list. Let’s look for everything Paul tells us about Jesus. I’ll start. He is the image of the invisible God. Once you have finished your list, follow mine.
Knowing our Jesus
- Image of the invisible God
- Firstborn over all creation
- Everything was created by him-heaven and earth, visible and invisible, thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities—ALL has been created THROUGH Him and FOR Him
- Before all things
- By Him all things hold together
- Head of the body, the church
- The beginning
- Firstborn from the dead, so he might come to have first place in everything
- God was pleased to have ALL His fullness dwell in Him
- Through Jesus to reconcile everything to Himself (God), whether on earth or in heaven by making peace through His blood.
You will notice I sorta quote the Bible, I have a hard time condensing. I want alllll the words. Now, as we look over this list we have made, any words do you wonder at their meaning? Or do you want to do some more research and thought? Thought so. Let’s start in verse 15.
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”
Colossians 1:15 NASB 95
I first want to define the words that may be a little murky or need more explanation. That word for me here is “image.” I go to Blue Letter Bible. And to Vine’s dictionary.
4, “the image of God,” i.e., essentially and absolutely the perfect expression and representation of the Archetype, God the Father; in Col 1:15, “the image of the invisible God” gives the additional thought suggested by the word “invisible,” that Christ is the visible representation and manifestation of God to created beings; the likeness expressed in this manifestation is involved in the essential relations in the Godhead, and is therefore unique and perfect; “
Image
Paul is saying all of that in this one sentence in Colossians 1:15. How many times to I fly by verses not realizing the complexity and depth! Jesus wasn’t just a good man. Nor was he just a good teacher, tho he was both, he is God the Son.
Now the next thing I like to do is look at cross references, Old Testament and New. Let me share a few concerning just this very verse.
“Not so, with My servant Moses, He is faithful in all My household; With him I speak mouth to mouth, Even openly, and not in dark sayings, And he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant, against Moses?””
Numbers 12:7-8 NASB1995
So by looking at more verses around the whole Bible, we can gain a greater understanding of why Paul is declaring “the image of the invisible God.” This is the Lord speaking to Aaron and Miriam. He is angry with them for attacking Moses. Moses spoke mouth to mouth. He beheld the Lord’s form. There is so much I don’t understand here, but here is what is plain. Moses had a very special relationship with the Lord, like none other.
And now, because of the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we have access to the Lord. We know the Lord. Someday this will all make perfect sense.
One last cross reference.
“For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.”
John 1:17-18 NASB1995
Now, if you are confused, no worries. So, am I. And so are many scholars, which is why I will now give you my next step! Moody Bible Commentary! Go to a trusted commentary.
No one has seen God at any time (cf. 1Tm 6:16), though people have received partial revelations of Him in the person of the preincarnate Christ (e.g., Abraham, Gn 18:1; Moses, Ex 33:18-23). The only begotten God, “the only God” (ESV), or “the only one, himself God” (NET) reads a different set of Greek mss as opposed to “the One and Only Son” (HSCB, TNIV). The
Michael Rydelnik, Michael Vanlaningham, et al The Moody Bible Commentary
Okay, so this was my first attempt. It’s taken many days. I hope you enjoyed. I will keep going with this first chapter of Colossians. There is much to uncover and discover.
Would you mind giving me some feedback? Do you like this format?
Leave A Reply