Leawood, Kansas, United States - The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Daily Guide grow. pray. study. for Thursday, 18 December 2014 “The Son is the image of the invisible God"Daily Scripture: Colossians 1:13-14 God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He’s set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.
Christ Holds It All Together
15-18 We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.
18-20 He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he’s there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.
Reflection Questions:
The poetic words of verses 15-20 appear to be the lyrics to an early Christian hymn in honor of Jesus. Like other first-century Christian writing, these verses did not seek to explain the mystery that the human Jesus was “God with us.” They simply stated it as the reality that Paul and the early believers said was transforming their lives. “All the fullness of God” lived in him, said this joyous hymn. He truly was “God with us.”
• If we focus on the stories that usually lead the news, we might wonder what the final line of the Christ hymn is supposed to mean: “He brought peace through the blood of his cross.” Too often, in homes, companies or nations, we try to bring about peace by changing external conditions while leaving hearts unchanged. In what ways has Jesus brought peace into your life “from the inside out”? How have you seen that kind of peace transform alienation and pain into renewed relationships?
• Rector Dick Lucas wrote that “If [Col. 1:15-20] was a spiritual song along the lines of Colossians 3:16, it would make the teaching hymns of even a Charles Wesley appear lightweight.” Review the hymn’s lyrical lines, noting all of the qualities and actions of Jesus they name. Which of them mean the most to you? Which of them would you like to understand better?
Prayer: Lord God, you are so much grander and greater than I am—yet you want me to know you. Thank you for coming in Jesus to show me a clear image of what you are like. Amen.
Insight from Mike Wilhoit
Mike Wilhoit serves at The Church of the Resurrection as Local Missions Director.
My Grandpa Wilhoit loved to fish, eat and watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball.
During one of my many childhood visits to Collinsville, Illinois, Grandpa took me fishing. The summer heat had almost dried up a nearby lake. Instead of poles, we caught fish by placing bottomed-out barrels on top of them. Talk about easy. Grandpa taught me to pick up the fish by placing my thumb in the fish’s mouth while pushing my finger through the fish’s gill until it touched my thumb. It was great fun for this city boy, especially when I picked up a catfish & started screaming. Grandpa Wilhoit couldn’t stop laughing. Catfish have teeth!
I’ll always remember that day fondly. My somewhat quiet grandfather made a special effort to be with me, his loud, chatterbox grandson.
During this advent season, I am equally intrigued by a God who didn’t just send an email telling us how much He loved us. He made a special effort to be with us in Jesus. When I am afraid or discouraged, I remember that God made, loves and enjoys being with me. I am also challenged to love those dear to me and those in need by being WITH them.
Mike Wilhoit serves at The Church of the Resurrection as Local Missions Director.My Grandpa Wilhoit loved to fish, eat and watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball.
During one of my many childhood visits to Collinsville, Illinois, Grandpa took me fishing. The summer heat had almost dried up a nearby lake. Instead of poles, we caught fish by placing bottomed-out barrels on top of them. Talk about easy. Grandpa taught me to pick up the fish by placing my thumb in the fish’s mouth while pushing my finger through the fish’s gill until it touched my thumb. It was great fun for this city boy, especially when I picked up a catfish & started screaming. Grandpa Wilhoit couldn’t stop laughing. Catfish have teeth!
I’ll always remember that day fondly. My somewhat quiet grandfather made a special effort to be with me, his loud, chatterbox grandson.
During this advent season, I am equally intrigued by a God who didn’t just send an email telling us how much He loved us. He made a special effort to be with us in Jesus. When I am afraid or discouraged, I remember that God made, loves and enjoys being with me. I am also challenged to love those dear to me and those in need by being WITH them.
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