Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Sabbath - Culmination of Creation
Colossians 1:15-23
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities –all things were created through him and in him.”
Are humans created in the image of God or can God be created in the imagination of human? In the Colossian Church, many believers were tempted to believe a Christ different from the reality, influenced by some Gnostic teachers. The Christ which the Gnostics preached was a cultural and philosophical creation of that time.  In this context Paul writes to them a letter from the prison. In this letter Paul makes some important theological statements on the person of Christ.
Jesus Christ – fullness of God, revealed in human body.
 Jesus Christ is preeminent .All creations are created by him for him and in him (V.16). So Jesus was not an angel or not only the god of the world or flesh as some Gnostics teach. He is the prime cause of everything, whether it is material or spiritual. In the appointed time the prime cause of everything revealed to the world in human. Thus Jesus becomes the image of the invisible God revealed to the creation. Here Paul attempts to convince Colossians that, they could have full confidence in Christ because he is truly God and they needed nothing to realize the fullness of their faith.
Jesus Christ: fullness of God’s reconciliation and peace.
Popular Gnostic belief at that time was that Holy God cannot have relation with world because world consists of flesh which is essentially evil. Contrary to their views In Jesus we see a totally different attitude of God towards the world. He initiates an action of reconciliation and peace through Jesus, who is the visible image of the invisible God.
Jesus reconciled the creation to God by his death and suffering .The word reconcile is used to show the change in relationship between God and creation through Christ. God’s reconciliation towards his creation through Christ is deep and strong. The Greek word used here is ‘apokatallaso’ which means thoroughly reconciled, totally reconciled, completely reconciled etc.. Through Jesus we became holy and blameless and above all reproach (v.22). Our position before God is elevated from hostility to sonship. This is a state of peace – peace with God and all creation. Sin spoiled the fullness of relationship between human and God. Son reconciled the spoiled relationship and brought peace. Peace can be related with the meaning of Sabbath in the Bible. After the creation, God was in a state of Sabbath .Sabbath is actually the experience, when creation is in order, good relationship and right actions, which means all his creation was good and it fulfill the will of the creator.
Today also Person of Jesus Christ is challenged by the culture, literature and philosophy .Many believers are misguided and influenced by them. Our goal should be strong in the faith of Jesus Christ and continue in his power of reconciliation.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Lord of Sabbath. Help us to realize your love, mercy and peace more important than rituals and laws. Amen
Thought for the day: Creation is filled with signs that point to the Creator.

Rev. Binu Thomas, Vicar Hermon MTC, Atlanta

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