Direction for Reflection

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.  And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1:15-23

I have been reading John 14 over and over again since September. Jesus says so much in those 31 verses that challenge me. He’s got bold, mic drop statements. He’s got huge “if/then” thoughts for us to consider. He’s got simple, timeless, joyful truths to cling to for life. As I come back to this text, I am reminded of Colossians 1:15-20. This is an ancient hymn the early church would have sung as a way of reminding themselves who Jesus is and what Jesus did for them, for us, for you. Spend some time with these five verses … there’s a feast in there to fill your soul.

Paul was writing this letter to the church in Colossae and verses 21-23 is a direction for reflection. His words were for a specific group of people at a specific time; but these words resonate with me in 2024. I was once alienated, hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. Jesus has reconciled me, through his death, presenting me holy, blameless, and above reproach to God. Then Paul gives a word of hope if I – if you – continue in the faith. The continuing is stable and steadfast, you might say consistent. Consistent in continuing to focus on the hope of the Good News you heard (which was summarized in 1:15-20). And it’s that Good News that was proclaimed that Paul is now telling to others.

So, I encourage you to take some time to look back on your life. If you can remember the first time you heard the Gospel and responded to it, sit with that and thank God. If you were fortunate like me to grow up hearing the Good News time and time again, thank God for those who ministered to you. Take some time to sit with the reality that when you look at Jesus you see God. Then look at Jesus in John 14. Listen to his words. Imagine being a part of that conversation. Then consider the questions below.