Listen to this articleLet’s examine the important lessons that the Hymn of Christ from the book of Colossians contains. The apostle Paul captures the grandeur, majesty, and preeminence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in these sacred verses. Let us go into the depths of this hymn and allow it to kindle a fire of reverence and amazement within our hearts.
Our passage begins with a majestic proclamation: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” (Colossians 1:15, KJV). In these words, we find a reflection of the words spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One” (Isaiah 40:25, KJV). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the perfect image of the invisible God. He displays the splendor of the Almighty and makes known to the world Who He is as the very essence of the Almighty.
But the hymn does not stop there. It continues, unveiling the role of Christ as the Creator of all things. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible” (Colossians 1:16, KJV). These words echo the resounding truth declared in Genesis: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1, KJV). Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, was present at the dawn of creation, fashioning every corner of the universe with divine purpose and wisdom.
Not only is Christ the Creator, but He is also the sustainer of all things. “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17, KJV). Through His divine power, the world continues to exist, held together by His sovereign will. As the psalmist proclaimed: “He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth. He hath remembered his covenant forever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations” (Psalm 105:7-8, KJV). Truly, our Savior is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
Moreover, the hymn magnifies Christ’s role as the Head of the Church, the body of believers. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18, KJV). Like Adam was the firstborn of creation, so too was Jesus Christ, by His resurrection, the firstborn from the grave. We are given new life through Him, and He assumes His proper place as the exalted Lord of our lives.
Finally, the hymn concludes with the beautiful message of reconciliation. “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself” (Colossians 1:20, KJV). Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus accomplished the ultimate act of love, making peace between God and humanity. As the prophet Isaiah foretold: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes, we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5, KJV). In Christ, we find reconciliation, restoration, and eternal hope.
Let this hymn resonate in our hearts and minds. Let us meditate upon the supremacy of Christ, the image of the invisible God, the Creator of all things, the sustainer of the universe, the Head of the Church, and the reconciler of humanity. May this profound truth inspire in us a desire to praise His name and proclaim His glory to the world.
May this hymn of Christ from the book of Colossians be inscribed in our hearts, guiding our thoughts, words, and actions. Let us be a living testament to Christ’s supremacy, reflecting His love, kindness, and mercy to a world in need. May our lives become a hymn of praise, declaring His glory and guiding others to the salvation found in Him.
Let us remember the words of the apostle Paul: “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:9-10, KJV). May we find our completeness in Christ, our Savior and Lord, as we surrender our lives to His preeminent authority.