Webster defines preeminence as the quality or state of being preeminent. Preeminent is defined: having paramount rank, dignity, or importance : OUTSTANDING, SUPREME, (emphasis, Webster). When we consider Jesus Christ, whether in character, dignity, importance, or rank, it is obvious that He has preeminence in both the physical universe and spiritually as well.
This truth is stated very clearly in Colossians 1:13-18:
“He [God] has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:13-18).
In looking at this text, let’s consider the truths contained therein as they pertain to Jesus Christ’s rank and significance in contrast to all others.
First, the kingdom of which we want to be a part belongs to Jesus Christ. He is the king. We owe our allegiance to Him. As a monarch, He has all authority residing in Himself (cf. Matthew 28:18).
It is through Jesus Christ that we receive the forgiveness of our sins. Under the Old Covenant, animal sacrifices were offered to God because “without the shedding of blood there is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22). However, the “blood of bulls and goats” (Hebrews 10:4) were not sufficient as payment for sin. That is why they were offered often, instead of once. But, Christ uniquely offered Himself as an efficacious sacrifice. The sacrifice was made once, and because of His standing as a perfect man (1 Peter 2:22), and as God’s Son, his sacrifice made him the final atoning sacrifice for our transgressions. “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself” (Hebrews 7:26-27).
Jesus Christ is the image of God. Those who saw Him, saw the Father (John 14:7-11). As Jesus said in John 14, “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?” John began his gospel with the declaration, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Matthew wrote, “‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’” (Matthew 1:23). When Jesus prayed to the Father, as recorded in John 17, he said, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” (John 17:3-5). It is obvious that the Father and His Son Jesus cannot be separated. It is a worthy description, and an indication of the Lord’s preeminence to describe Him as “the image of God.”
He is the “firstborn of all creation.” This is an indication of rank rather than time. Jesus was not the first created thing. As John 1:1-4 makes clear, Jesus already existed in the beginning. Rather, He is the one who created everything. He is before all. “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:3). This is made clear within the context of Colossians 1 itself. “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth… All things were created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16). It is also interesting to note that we exist “for Him.” As Paul told the Athenians in Acts 17 regarding God, “Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things” (25).
In Him “all things consist.” The word consist means, “to cohere, to hold together” (Thayer). Everything continues because of the Lord. This will continue until that final day when “the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). Humankind will not cease to exist because of climate change, the collision of an asteroid or a zombie apocalypse. We are to prepare instead for the coming of the Lord.
He is the head of the church. As head, He again has all authority. He is our Lord, to be extolled and venerated as absolute in power and authority. This indicates both His rank and dignity. His authority is to be respected. When men supply their own decisions in matters of doctrine and morals, they deny His righteousness, and supply their own (cf. Romans 10:3). This audacity is unconscionable.
Christ is preeminent. He is unique. He is not to be questioned, nor His ways to be changed. May we all approach Him with a proper respect and humility.
