It pleased the Father. This truth radiates throughout the scriptures. God’s intent, and pleasure in redeeming man through Jesus Christ. Paul wrote that it was in His mind since before time began, cf. Ephesians 1:4. So, when it happened, the Father was pleased. He said as much in Matthew 17:5, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
It is in Jesus that all “the fullness should dwell” (19). In this context is has reference to the preeminence of Christ. He fulfilled the Father’s intent in redemption. He is the Lord. He is the Savior. He is the “word” that became flesh (John 1:14) and created all. As verse 20 of our text states, Jesus is the one who reconciles all things to the Father, “whether things on earth or things in heaven.” Jesus accomplished this by shedding His blood on the cross of Calvary.
This is the proper answer to any ecumenical tendency. It is not what we think or wish. It is what pleased God the Father. And it pleased Him to reconcile all things through His Son.
