These verses are one of the most breathtaking descriptions of Jesus. The most important thing for the Colossians is to understand just who Jesus is—and as we celebrate Christmas, the same is true for us.
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.17 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 and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Colossians 1:15-19
In the ancient world, the “firstborn” was either the firstborn child, or the person who was top dog. These verses say that Jesus is the firstborn over all creation. And that’s not all…
Jesus is not only the firstborn over all creation—He is the firstborn from the dead as well, thanks to His resurrection.
This section is one of the mountain-top passages about the Lord Jesus, and once we’ve got to the top of the mountain, we should pause for a while and enjoy the view. He made it… He paid it… wow!