Devotional

“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.” Colossians 1:15-23

The apostle Paul did not know Jesus prior to the road to Damascus, well, at least not personally. Through his impactful encounter with Jesus, Paul’s eyes were opened (literally) to see that the Son is the image of the invisible God through whom God manifested fully. All things were created through Him, and for Him. He holds the universe together. He was and is and will always be. He is the head of the Church, in which we are the body. He reconciled mankind through His blood shed on the cross. He is the beginning and the end. Paul had come to know Jesus personally.

The reason the gospel (good news) is so compelling, is the fact that every person on earth aside from Jesus has fallen short of God’s standard. Through the death of Christ’s body, those who put their faith in Him also died with him. When He rose from the dead, we also rose into a new life. Jesus took the penalty for our sins, and now we are seen by God as holy, without blemishes from our sin. We are reconciled, and now we will spend eternity with our loving God. Once we were His enemies, and now we belong to Him. Paul persecuted followers of Jesus, but after his encounter with Jesus, Paul dedicated the rest of his life to serving Him, and we can too.

Prayer

Jesus, I am constantly in awe of the ease with which I can approach you in prayer. I do not merit such freedom and liberation and yet you sacrificed that I might have it. It was not merely a plan you came up with to mitigate the error of my ways. It was your design from the dawn of the universe. You made all things and sustained all things, that I might be empowered to approach you in all things. Forgive my lapses in faith and judgment when I rely on my own strength and banish you to the fringes of my circumstances. Forgive me of my fear that prompts me to put my faith and trust in the systems and powers of this world and the things that I can see. Remind me daily that my hope is in forces unseen, in your invisible and eternal nature. Jesus, make your image and design visible to me each and every moment. May I always keep you front and center, face to face, as you intended us to be.

Scripture Memorization

Colossians 2:9-10 “⁹ For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”

Photo Credit: Bill Zielinski @zphotobc

Music Credit: Shane & Shane – In Christ Alone

Devotional Written by: Sambi Katano

Prayer: Pastor Deborah Downs