Christ ...

Thursday, April 16, 2020. Jesus plays the central role in the Gospel. He plays the central role in the whole New Testament. The reason for it is that he is the son of God. The relationship between God, the father, Jesus, the son, and the Holy Spirit has always fascinated and puzzled Christians and Non-Christians alike.

Jesus is the son of God. He is the word of God. But the word is God. He has been at the beginning. He is the firstborn of all creation. He is the image of the invible God. He is before all things, in all things, in him all things exist. In him is the fullness of God.

All in All …

Let us look into the letter written to the church in Kolossae:

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 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. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 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. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Kol 1, 15ff)

It is very fascinating to hear the early Christian thoughts about the role and meaning of Jesus. He is all-in-all, as it is reflected in many Christian songs and sermons.

Meaning …

Assume that Jesus is what the bible tells us he is. Assume that he IS God, that indeed he became human, he preached, he died at the cross. Assume that the resurrection is true. Assume that he is the one who holds everything together! … What would it mean?

It would be truly good news, if this is true. Jesus as he is reflected in the New Testament has shown to very eager to be truthful. He is full of mercy towards all, who search the truth. He is strongly opposing fraud and ignorance and egoism. He has a serving attitude, he was and is the great servant.

The human freedom is reflected in the New Testament. God wants us to come by free will. The choices are pretty clear - our life is given to us, with its limits and its generic framework. We are invited to choose him, to trust him, – to search him and find him!

The live and existence of Jesus has real consequences. He IS the Lord. He is the lamb of God, who has been given all power and dominion. He IS the Lord of Lords. And being who he is we are called to learn from him. It might be quite a challenge. It might change all our attitudes, our thoughts, our identity. But it should, since we do not want to follow illusions. We want to follow the truth. In him, we come home! (Roland Potthast)