And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. – Colossians 1:17
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In our busy lives, it’s very easy for us to slowly push Jesus Christ into a quiet corner. Work, studies, family, even ministry, these can quietly take His place as what we truly rely on. We say with our lips that Jesus is Lord, but in reality, the one sitting on the throne of our lives is often not Christ, but ourselves.
Today’s passage helps us see a much bigger picture. The apostle Paul tells us that Jesus “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (v.15). He goes on to say that through Him, God created the world and everything in it, and that all things were created through Him and for Him (v.16).
These verses are sometimes called a “Christ hymn” by Bible scholars. But this is not just theology about Christ. It’s showing us that the invisible God has made Himself known in Jesus Christ. If you want to know who God is, look at Jesus. God’s heart, His character, His mercy and His justice are all clearly revealed in Him.
This means God is not distant, abstract, or impossible to understand. He can be known, and He invites us to draw near. And even more amazing is that this Jesus not only reveals God, but He is also the Lord over everything. All things were created for Him. That means your life, your circumstances, and everything you face today are not random. You are not ultimately here for a goal, a career, or even relationships. You were created for Him.
But the problem is, we often live as if we are here for ourselves. We define success by our own standards and plan our lives based on our own expectations. When things don’t go the way we want, we start to doubt, feel anxious, or even complain against God. This reveals a deeper issue in our hearts: we have placed ourselves at the centre and pushed Christ to the side.
When we begin to see the supremacy of Christ again, our priorities start to shift. “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (v.17). This means you don’t have to hold your life together on your own. You may feel like everything depends on you, but the truth is, Christ is the one sustaining you. The reason you are still standing today is not because you are strong enough, but because He is holding you.
Even more precious is this: the Lord over all things did not stay distant. Instead, “through him to reconcile to himself all things… making peace by the blood of his cross” (v.20). He is not only your Creator, but He is also your Saviour. The One who rules over the universe chose to shed His blood so that you can be reconciled to God.
So, this passage is not just praising the supremacy of Christ. It is inviting us to re-centre our lives on Him. If all things were created for Him, then is my life today truly lived for Him?
Reflection:
What in your life right now is replacing Christ as your source of security and dependence? What practical steps can you take to place Jesus back on the throne of your life?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Yourself to us through Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, the Creator and Lord over all things. We confess that although we say we believe in You, we often do not truly place You at the centre of our lives. Instead, we rely on our own plans and abilities. Forgive us, Lord, and help us to put Christ back in the first place in our lives. In uncertain times, give us a firm hope that is found in You. Teach us not only to confess that Jesus is Lord with our lips, but to truly trust and obey Him in our daily lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Click to read passage
In our busy lives, it’s very easy for us to slowly push Jesus Christ into a quiet corner. Work, studies, family, even ministry, these can quietly take His place as what we truly rely on. We say with our lips that Jesus is Lord, but in reality, the one sitting on the throne of our lives is often not Christ, but ourselves.
Today’s passage helps us see a much bigger picture. The apostle Paul tells us that Jesus “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (v.15). He goes on to say that through Him, God created the world and everything in it, and that all things were created through Him and for Him (v.16).
These verses are sometimes called a “Christ hymn” by Bible scholars. But this is not just theology about Christ. It’s showing us that the invisible God has made Himself known in Jesus Christ. If you want to know who God is, look at Jesus. God’s heart, His character, His mercy and His justice are all clearly revealed in Him.
This means God is not distant, abstract, or impossible to understand. He can be known, and He invites us to draw near. And even more amazing is that this Jesus not only reveals God, but He is also the Lord over everything. All things were created for Him. That means your life, your circumstances, and everything you face today are not random. You are not ultimately here for a goal, a career, or even relationships. You were created for Him.
But the problem is, we often live as if we are here for ourselves. We define success by our own standards and plan our lives based on our own expectations. When things don’t go the way we want, we start to doubt, feel anxious, or even complain against God. This reveals a deeper issue in our hearts: we have placed ourselves at the centre and pushed Christ to the side.
When we begin to see the supremacy of Christ again, our priorities start to shift. “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (v.17). This means you don’t have to hold your life together on your own. You may feel like everything depends on you, but the truth is, Christ is the one sustaining you. The reason you are still standing today is not because you are strong enough, but because He is holding you.
Even more precious is this: the Lord over all things did not stay distant. Instead, “through him to reconcile to himself all things… making peace by the blood of his cross” (v.20). He is not only your Creator, but He is also your Saviour. The One who rules over the universe chose to shed His blood so that you can be reconciled to God.
So, this passage is not just praising the supremacy of Christ. It is inviting us to re-centre our lives on Him. If all things were created for Him, then is my life today truly lived for Him?
Reflection:
What in your life right now is replacing Christ as your source of security and dependence? What practical steps can you take to place Jesus back on the throne of your life?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Yourself to us through Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, the Creator and Lord over all things. We confess that although we say we believe in You, we often do not truly place You at the centre of our lives. Instead, we rely on our own plans and abilities. Forgive us, Lord, and help us to put Christ back in the first place in our lives. In uncertain times, give us a firm hope that is found in You. Teach us not only to confess that Jesus is Lord with our lips, but to truly trust and obey Him in our daily lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.