Which book of the Bible tells us the most about Jesus? All of the gospels speak extensively of his teaching, of course. Matthew traces his ancestry back to Abraham, while Luke narrates the familiar Christmas story. Mark begins his gospel with Isaiah’s words proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. In Acts and Revelation, we hear Jesus speak, and throughout the New Testament we learn how to walk as Jesus did. The passage I always think of first has more of a cosmic feel.

Did anyone’s mind jump to Colossians? Until a couple months ago, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you anything specific about this epistle. This month, though, I took on the incredible weight of teaching my Bible study instead of simply leading it. The deep well of Paul’s theology loomed before me, and I haven’t seen the surface of my desk since December. This short book, though, is a treasure worth all the studying I can do. In chapter one alone, the profound “completeness” of Jesus Christ encircled me – stirring me with its powerful simplicity.

I once read a book that cited Murray Harris’ Prepositions and Theology in the Greek New Testament. I remember laughing and texting my friend, What if your life’s work was a book about prepositions? Would anyone talk to you at parties? Well, what goes around comes around, because Colossians 1:15-20 is all about the prepositions. I never would have guessed that words like “for,” “in,” “to,” and “by” could be essential in learning the mysteries of Christ, yet here I am, eating my words. In this extraordinary passage, the wealth of prepositions, combined with eight occurrences of the word “all,” make me feel… surrounded and safe, like a sheep in the fold of a good shepherd.

Our Lord Christ is the cause, the goal, and the sustaining force of creation. Jesus holds together the atoms of the universe, so he is present everywhere. We are never alone.

I still think John 1:1-5 describes Jesus fully and with unparalleled eloquence, but now I see how Colossians elegantly expands it. Jesus was not merely “in the beginning,” but he is also “before all things.” John says Jesus, the Word, is God, while Colossians tells us “he is the image of the invisible God’ and “in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” Of all the profound truths linked together in this passage, one stood out to me. Colossians 1:16 says, “For by him all things were created… through him and for him.” I’ve believed that God created the universe by means of his Son since I was old enough to understand it, but I never would have thought that creation was also created for Jesus. What does that even mean?

Reflecting on this odd phrase, my mind jumped to another place something was described as being “for” Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 describes the way Jesus approached his redemptive work: “Jesus… for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” If all creation was made for Jesus, then, in some way, his death was, as well. When the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit formed the earth, they already saw the entire swath of history since, being outside of time, they are present everywhere and every-when. Did the Trinity talk amongst themselves to decide whether mankind was worth the price? The weight of glory God gave to his image-bearers – once mere dust – is nearly incomprehensible to me. Yet here we are. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son… Somehow, to God we’re worth it.

God created us to love him and be his representatives on earth. We failed our mission. Original sin marred the image of God we bear. We have never been able to subdue the earth and tend it as a treasured garden. But God, full of patience and love, sent another representative – this time not only bearing God’s image, but also containing the fullness of God himself. Jesus’ joy at redeeming mankind and reconciling us to his Father was so great that he allowed himself to be killed by the very people he created.

We have been snatched from the fires of hell by the one who knew our worth and our treachery long before we existed. Jesus Christ is the creator and the firstborn. He is before all things, and he is first in everything. He is what holds all things together. He is the truth. He is the life. He is the way – HE IS. Long ago, from a burning bush, Yahweh began a rescue and transfer mission by declaring his name: I AM. Jesus declared his own name – the same name – in the refining fire of his earthly life, death, and resurrection. So, worship Jesus with all your heart and soul because that rescue mission is over. As Colossians 1:13-14 says, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” All glory be to God for he is making all things new!