The World & Your Redemption is Held Together in Jesus—Colossians 1:17
“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17)
If ever there was a verse to bring encouragement this would be it. These words give so much insight into God’s nature and character that it is one of the verses that makes my heart happy every time I read it! Why? Because hope lives here.
The World Was Spoken Into Existence
John records, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:1-3). Jesus was the person who brought about creation. God spoke creation, Jesus performed creation. So in this, John reveals that the Word spoken by God was Jesus. His words instructing for light, expanse to separate the waters from dry ground, vegetation, etc., all came into being by the Word released. The Word released was Jesus. He was the creative element in the creation process.
Because Jesus created everything it also makes sense that Jesus holds the universe and everything in it in place. “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). In other words, the world consists, coheres and is held together in Him.
Redemption Was Spoken Into Existence
Throughout the entire Old Testament, glimpses of our redemption through Jesus was shown, prophesied and spoken. It is the theme that runs throughout the entire Bible from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. In the same way that God spoke creation into existence through releasing the Word (Jesus), redemption was spoken into existence by the prophecies and forecast of the Messiah. Jesus is the fulfillment of those words spoken. He is the creative force behind God’s redemption of humanity. Those words took on human form the moment that Jesus entered into the world to redeem it (John 1:14).
Your Redemption is Held In Place By That Word
The very same word that holds creation together, holds your redemption together. That Word is Jesus, He is the guarantee of everything God spoke into existence for you. Hebrews confirms this, “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven” (Hebrews 1:1-3).
He made the universe, He provided the purification for sin and these things are sustained by His powerful word. We know this to be true, because Jesus is seated in heaven. It is finished! God did the very same thing when creation was complete, He rested or ceased to create because it was done (Genesis 2:2). In the same way, Jesus is seated in Heaven at the Father’s right hand because redemption is done and He holds both the universe and humanity's redemption in place by His word of power (Hebrews 1:3).
In Jesus, EVERYTHING is held together! This is marvelous news and why my heart rejoices in reading this powerful passage in Colossians. Today, I pray that you take a few minutes to meditate on this amazing truth, I pray it penetrates your heart and causes you to join with all creation in worshipping and celebrating Jesus!