Colossians 1:15-20

“He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.” vss. 17-18

Paul’s description of Christ is perhaps the most precious of all his words to the congregations he founded. As in the beginning of John’s gospel, Christ is here recognized as the firstborn of all creation, and not only as a creature, but as an actual partner in creation itself!  This elevated image of Christ took shape among believers only a few decades after the death and resurrection of Jesus, and continues to be central to our faith and our hope for the future. When Christ is the center of our life together, all of our divisions and petty differences fall away and we are bound together as the greatest force for healing and restoration on earth. In Christ the wisdom teachings of Jesus become our guide and blueprint for living. In Christ we learn to care for the creation and to love our enemies, even as we seek  justice for the oppressed and healing for the broken. In  Christ we learn to ignore the lies and deceptions of  blind guides while putting our trust and confidence in God. What a joy it is to live without fear while knowing that in Christ our lives are secure! Jesus was right. In him we will find rest for our souls, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light! 

Thought for the Day: What burden has Jesus laid on me?