Musings and Contemplations

Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.[1]

Reconciliation and Peace Through the Blood of His Cross

Colossians 1:15-23 NRSV
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him – provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.

In what many consider one of the greatest Christological passages, Paul’s goal is to firmly establish the preeminence of Jesus in all things. Later he will discuss combating the temptation to add elements to the salvation formula. Here Paul’s emphasis is that Jesus is sufficient for salvation and solely able to provide redemption. Therefore, Jesus plus anything else equals heresy. In order to push back against arguments that additional elements are needed for salvation, Paul seeks to establish that Jesus alone is worthy and capable of redeeming creation.^[2]

Warren Wiersbe
The church is [Christ’s] body, and He is the Head. The church is the new creation, and He is “the Beginning,” that is, the Originator of the new creation. His resurrection gives Him title to the throne of preeminence, for He is “firstborn” from the dead, that is, first to rise from the dead, never to die again.^[3]

“To Be a Christian” Anglican Catechism[4]
Question #52
What do you mean when you call Jesus Christ “Lord”?
I acknowledge Jesus’ divine authority over the Church and all creation, over all societies and their leaders, and over every aspect of my life, both public and private. I surrender my entire life to him and seek to live in a way that pleases him.

Question #73
What does it mean for Jesus to sit at God the Father’s right hand?
The throne on the king’s right hand was traditionally the seat of one appointed to exercise the king’s own authority. Ruling with his Father in heaven, Jesus is Lord over the Church and all creation, with authority to equip his Church, advance his kingdom, bring sinners into saving fellowship with God the Father, and finally establish justice and peace upon the earth.

Heavenly Father and Holy Spirit,
How thankful we are for Jesus the Son, for in him is found every aspect of our salvation and sanctification. If we seek the gifts of the Spirit, they are found in his anointing; purity in his conception; gentleness in his birth; redemption in his passion; acquittal in his condemnation; remission of the curse in his cross; purification in his blood; mortification of the flesh in his tomb; newness of life and immortality in his resurrection; inheritance of the heavenly kingdom in his entrance into heaven. Amen.[5]

Fairest Lord Jesus

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without price. Incline your ear and come to me; hear, that your soul may life; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.[6]

[1] Isaiah 1:18 ESV
^[2] Douglas Mangum, ed., Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament, Lexham Context Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020), Col 1:9–23.
^[3] Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 577.
[4] “To Be A Christian: An Anglican Catechism.” Copyright © 2020 by The Anglican Church in North America. Published by Crossway, Wheaton, IL.
[5] Adapted from John Calvin, The Sing! Hymnal, #207.
[6] Isaiah 55:1, 3 ESV