The incarnation, God in flesh, is a wild idea. Wild in the best of terms but still quite astounding. For a number of reasons not the least of which is what it means for us the creation. For God to put on our humanity and to take up our weakness, frailty and sinfulness means quite literally that He is on our side. He’s not out to get us except to redeem us.
Colossians 1:15 He {Jesus} is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
Paul is using this Jewish idea of firstborn to explain what we would call the inheritance right. Paul is NOT saying Jesus is a creation or was created. This becomes clear from the rest of the passage. What Paul is stating explicitly is that Jesus as creator, brought everything in heaven and on earth into existence. He, as any firstborn son, has the right of inheritance. Everything in heaven and on earth is His.
The Creator Son is then connected to the Redeemer babe all grown up, in these next verses. And this is a critical connection to make. The very One who Creates is the very One who Re-creates.
Colossians 1:19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
Redemption is a work or re-creation. We might think of it ( salvation) as something we do but that would be completely upside down and silly. It would be like us taking part in our creation. Our part of the story picks up once we begin to understand our individual identity in Christ but it is complete nonsense to think my choice to be redeemed somehow causes my re-creation in Christ.
In simple terms you didn’t will for your parents to bring you into life on this earth so don’t pretend you decided to be born into heaven. Jesus does both by His Father’s will and through His Spirits power.
I have plenty to participate in but my origin in Christ is not my work or claim; it is His alone, for He is Creator and Redeemer. Get that straight and much comes into focus. Get it wrong and we get a “me centered” mess.
Paul is clear if we listen to him, the incarnation was MORE than reconciling humanity back to God. Indeed, incarnation is about reconciling ALL things back to Himself. ALL creation is His target. Re-read vs 20.
So how important is the incarnation? Well, all of heaven and earth depend on Him. That’s a lot of things and everyone of them are His. We are His inheritance, His birthright, His beloved bride, His heaven and earth.
There is so much more to be considered here but this is at the heart of the issue as we gather today and celebrate and anticipate the finishing of this work begun at Christ’s birth.
Come join His church today and hear His creative Word speak life into death and cause His new creation to spring forth. It would be the fruits of something brand new. You, a newborn babe created in the image of the King for whom all things have been made.
Soli Deo Gloria
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