I know, this post is late in the week. However, don't worry, I won't be doing a post next week, and depending on if I leave the country or not next week, there won't be another post until March. Therefore, seeing how we have a good amount of time before the next post, this week we're memorizing six verses.
We're going to memorize a well-known Christological passage. Christological, meaning that the passage speaks of Jesus. This passage comes to us from the letter of Paul to the church at Colossae. Early on in the letter, in his attempt to establish the supremacy of Christ, Paul gives us our six verses. Scholars debate whether or not this passage is orginal to Paul or if he took it from an outside source. However, there does seem to be general agreement among most that the passage is some form of an early Christian hymn or creed used by the early church. Either way, the truths that Paul packs into these six verses are many and greatly help us understand the person and work of Jesus Christ. Knowing and rightly understanding this passage will help guard you from following after many of the Christological heresies that have popped over the centuries in regard to who Jesus is and what He has done.
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 dominons 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 of 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 heave, making peace by te blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:15-20
As you can read, there's a lot to chew on there. I won't go over it all here in this post, but I'll quickly note two things for clarity.
The "firstborn of all creation" in verse 15 is not stating that there was a time when the Son of God was not. That is, it is not stating that the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, was the first thing created by God. This is a statement of position and status, as it relates to the Son of God to all of creation. It denotes His preeminence as He is the heir to all things.
The expression of verse 16 speaking of thrones, dominons, rulers, and authorities, refers to the spiritual powers of the age. This is an expression that Paul uses also in Ephesians 1:21.
I pray that as you study these verses and commit them to your heart, you'll grow in awe and wonder of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who died for you.