August 17, 2011
Father, Son, Holy Spirit: One God,
Three Divine Persons
Part Five
The Deity of Christ
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Have you ever thought about aliens coming to earth and what that might do to your faith? I often hear news reports about some alien object coming, or some new life form discovered in the solar system, or evidence of life on a rock from outer space. Jesus of Nazareth made claims about the entire universe. One distinct claim concerned creation. In no uncertain terms, Jesus claimed to be the Creator of all things, not just the things on earth, but also the heavens. So we will read the Bible today to learn more about Jesus the Creator of all things.
For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things have been created through Him and for Him.
Colossians 1:16
The Creator of Heaven and Earth. In Colossians 1:16, Jesus described Himself as the Creator of both all things in heaven, and all things on earth. He made a broad and sweeping claim. He also expanded that claim to include all thrones, dominions, rulers and authorities–including those things in heaven. You may recall that we saw a few days ago that the Father rescued us from the domain (“ἐξουσίας“) of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). In Colossians 1:16, we see that Jesus created all dominions (“κυριότητες“) and authorities (“ἐξουσίαι“), and all thrones (“θρόνοι“) and rulers (“ἀρχαὶ“). We know as believers from Ephesians 6:12, that we do not struggle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers (“ἀρχάς“), powers (“ἐξουσίας“), world forces of this darkness (“τοὺς κοσμοκράτορας τοῦ σκότους τούτου“), and spiritual forces in the heavenly places (“τὰ πνευματικὰ τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις“). Notice the similarity in description of the creation in Colossians and our spiritual enemies in Ephesians. Jesus created all things, even the wicked for the day of evil (Proverbs 16:4). Not all spiritual forces in the heavenlies are evil, but some of them have fallen into sin and aligned themselves with Satan (Revelation 12:3-4; compare Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4). Jesus created all things, not just all humans, plants and animals. He created things we have never seen in the spiritual world, and things in the physical world beyond our present ability to see. Notice here that through the power of Jesus Christ, we will triumph over all enemies, physical or spiritual, foreign or domestic, earthly or heavenly, all because Jesus made them and has dominion over all things as Creator. We also get a glimpse into why Jesus created all things.
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:17
Before All Things. In Colossians 1:17, we read words about Jesus that remind me of Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1, both of which speak about God “in the beginning.” Jesus is before all things. He was in the beginning. He has no beginning, and no point of origin. He is eternal, and has existed as God from eternity past. Therefore, we read here that Jesus is before all things.
In Him All Things Hold Together. We also read in Colossians 1:17, that Jesus never abandoned His creation, but rather He holds all things together. The entire universe exists “in Him.” As we saw in the preceding verse, Colossians 1:16, all things have been created through Jesus and for Jesus. He remains essential to the existence of all things. As Paul preached on Mars Hill, in the city of Athens, in Jesus “we live and move and exist,” for we are His children (Acts 17:28). As the great Creator God, Jesus wants to remind us that He created the entire universe, and any aliens that come here–well, He created all aliens, all planets, all suns, all moons, all comets, and you get the idea. This same Creator said He holds all things together, and He existed before them, because He is God. The creation itself clearly declares the His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, being clearly seen, being understood through what Christ has made, so that all men are without excuse (Romans 1:20). In a profound sense, every day Christ holds our lives together, in the midst of the universe He alone holds together.
So we learn more about the deity of Jesus today.
● Jesus created the heavens and earth, and all that is in them.
● Jesus is before all things, and has been, is now, and will always be God.
● Jesus holds my life and everything else together, every day.
Application for Today
As I live today, I thank the Lord Jesus for creating all things. I know that He holds all things together according to His power and purpose. Within the universe, He knows all about me. He has marvelous plans for my life. Do you see Jesus holding your life together today?
