Christ’s Relationships

David Eldridge

We have relationships with our families, co-workers, friends, Lord, and brethren. In Colossians 1:15-23 we read of several relationships of Christ. Paul speaks of these to show Christ’s preeminence (vs. 18). Consider the relationships shown in this text.

Christ’s relationship to God. In vs. 15 Paul says that Jesus “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” This term image (eikon) means a, “likeness, representation, resemblance” (Strongs). The invisible God made Himself manifest through a visible Jesus, His Son (John 14:9,10). Christ’s being in the image of God was not merely physical, like all men (Genesis 1:26,27), but spiritual. Christ is the express representation of God.

Christ’s relationship to creation. In vss. 16 and 17 of our text it is stated, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Christ was the one the Father used to create all that we see and even those things unseen to us (cf. John 1:1-3). Jesus also causes all things to consist – that is He holds all of creation together. Take away Christ and all of creation would fall.

Christ’s relationship to the church. In vs. 18 we are told, “And He is the head of the body, the church.” The church has only one leader from whom authority flows – Jesus Christ (cf. Ephesians 1:22,23; 5:23,24). The church you read about in the Bible has no pope, no synods, no councils, no men who act as the head of the church with authority to issue commands. Jesus, in His relationship to the church, sits as its head with all authority and power (Matthew 28:18).

Christ’s relationship to sin and sinners. In vss. 20,21 we are told that Christ, “…made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled.” Man was at war with God, separated from Him by their sins. However, Jesus’ blood that flowed on the cross is able to reconcile (bring back to God) those separated from Him by sin (cf. Matthew 26:28; I John 1:7). Have you taken advantage of that cleansing blood by obedience to His commands?