Who Is Jesus? Part 3 of 3
From “Study and Obey”
Conclusion
Colossians 1:15-20 – 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. 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 from 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 heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
This is perhaps the richest passage on Christ anywhere in the Bible. But why is knowing these things important? There are many, but I will leave you with three reasons.
- Knowing Jesus protects you from error.
Almost every single cult in the world gets it wrong about Jesus. They say He wasn’t man. Or He isn’t God. Or He didn’t rise from the dead. When you are confronted with odd teachings about Jesus, come back here. Knowing the truth will protect you from false teaching and error.
“If you don’t embrace a Christ that is big enough and clear enough, you will be a sitting duck for Christ-diminishing, Christ-distorting philosophy, empty deceit, and human tradition.” – Piper
False teachers will seek to distort and minimize Christ. Have no part of it.
- Knowing Jesus helps you depend on Jesus.
When deep inside of us, we acknowledge the fact that He made us, that He sustains us, that He every breath we have is from Him, and that without Him we would disintegrate, that makes us humble. And we learn to stop trusting in ourselves, but to fall at His feet and say, “we need you.”
“If you don’t embrace a Christ that is big enough and clear enough, you will stop holding fast to Christ as the great, all-supplying Head of the body, and take up sectarian strategies of self-improvement.” – Piper
- Knowing Jesus encourages you to worship Jesus.
- Knowing Jesus strengthens our hope in Jesus.
Seeing Jesus’ power from eternity past, reminds us that the hope we have is sure. Everything He has promised will come to pass. And that hope helps us press on. The bigger Jesus is in your sight, the smaller everything else will be.
Reflection Questions
In what specific way will you change your priorities or actions in the next week so that Christ will have His rightful first place in your life and heart?
What aspect of Jesus’ character touched you the most today? Why?
Besides the three mentioned (protection from error, increased dependence on Jesus, a strengthened hope), why else is having a deep and exalted view of Jesus important?
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