Colossians 1:15-16 (ESV)
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.

When we think of Jesus, we often think of a tall man with a beard and long hair wearing a white robe. We think of him as someone who came to earth and preached love for God and love for people. While Jesus did indeed preach love, the image of Jesus we often have is one that does not do justice to him.

In this passage, Paul describes him as being unbelievably powerful and immensely important. Not only is he the image of the invisible God, which is a way of ascribing to him divinity, but he is also the firstborn of all creation. We shouldn’t read this and think that Jesus was the first person to be created or born.

To Paul’s audience, the term “firstborn” held the idea of being the most important person in the family. To be firstborn means you are the head of the household should the father die. It means that you hold the authority of the father. The fact that Paul ascribes to Jesus the title “firstborn of all creation” speaks to the fact that Jesus held the authority of God the Father. If we understand that God does not share his power and authority with anyone, we see that Jesus is again ascribed divinity. This entire passage points to the fact that Jesus is no mere man or prophet. He is God. He is the one who created all things and all things don’t exist without him. He is creator God!

It is even more important once we realize this God took on human form and died for us. Imagine that! The God that created this earth bled upon it. The God who put in place the kings and priests was killed by those kings and priests. The one who is the most important person to ever walk this earth humbled himself to the point of death on a cross.

This week, think about the power and majesty of God and how he put all of that aside and died for you and me. If you’ve never accepted Christ, put your faith in him and he will never let you down.