WHO IS CHRIST TO YOU?
Who is Christ to you? What place does he have in your life? The Colossians were dealing with this question that we are still confronted with today. So, Paul needed to instruct the Colossian disciples about who Jesus is. And now, we read in Colossians 1:15-23 Paul’s proclamation of who Jesus is and what he does for us. Take a moment to read this passage and consider how each underline tells us who Jesus is, what Jesus does, and what we are called to do:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Col. 1:15-23, emphasis added)
This is a powerful description of who Jesus is and what Jesus does. It leaves no room for discussion. How does this passage move you? Do you feel something deep within you? Do you feel a need to fall to your knees, or do you feel unmoved? Are you simply content with the knowledge that Jesus is the Son of God and he saves you?
Jesus didn’t call us to simply believe, he called us to become. Who Jesus is, is meant to transform us, not simply inform us!
To do that, we must continue in our faith, remaining stable and steadfast in who Jesus is. Jesus must be more than a belief. Jesus is something we are becoming. Why? Because we become what we worship, and we worship that which is our God (or god). Jesus must take first place in our lives!
There’s a story about Leonardo da Vinci that can be helpful here:
Leonardo da Vinci worked on “The Lord’s Supper” painting from 1496-1498. When he completed his last stroke, and the tempera was still drying, he brought in a friend to critique his masterpiece. The first remark of the friend was, “The cup in Jesus’ hand is especially beautiful!” For Da Vinci’s friend, the most striking thing in the picture was the cup!
At this, Da Vinci showed his friend to the door, and the artist took his brush and wiped out the cup in Jesus’ hand. Later, his friend saw the displayed masterpiece and wondered what had happened to the cup he was so drawn to. Da Vinci told him, “Nothing in my painting shall attract more attention than the face of my Master!”
Da Vinci knew that Jesus is preeminent, supreme, first, and last. Nothing must distract us from him. We must get rid of anything that keeps us from glorifying Christ.
Often in our lives, Christ is marginalized. He gets our second attention, our leftovers. He often isn’t first. Our work, schoolwork, hobbies, extracurriculars, or family commonly take first place. In Colossians 1:15-23, Paul gives us reasons why Christ should be first in our lives and in the entire world.
If Jesus is God, if he is the ONLY way to salvation, and if we declare his lordship over our lives, then this is not just a matter of belief; it must be a matter of becoming, our daily lives TRANSFORM.
Spiritual transformation means putting Christ first. To do that, we must remove anything that draws our attention away from him or takes his place. Like Leonardo da Vinci, we must take our brush and wipe away (or even repaint) anything in our lives that takes away from Jesus’ preeminence in the display of our lives.
Note this: Jesus called us to FOLLOW HIM, but he never actually asked us to WORSHIP HIM. Yet, we often see our relationship with Jesus summed up on a Sunday morning when he instead called us to follow him daily. Worship is what we do with our lives each day of our week, not simply on a Sunday morning.
So, who is Christ to you? Jesus wants to know the answer to that question. In fact, I believe Jesus himself used four questions in Scripture that are meant to help us answer that. I want to share them with you to help you determine who Jesus is to you. I call them the What? What? Who? Do? Questions. Take time to imagine Jesus asking you each question and consider your response and why. They will help you determine who Jesus is to you.
What Are You Seeking? (John 1:35-51) – Imagine following Jesus. As you walk, Jesus stops, turns to you, and asks, “What are you seeking?” You look deep into his eyes to consider the question and your answer. What am I seeking in him? Take time to contemplate your response. Write it down and pray over it.
What Do You Want Me To Do For You? (Mark 10:51; Luke 18:41) – Imagine yourself calling out to Jesus, desperately wanting his healing touch. He stops, looks at you, and asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” What is your answer? What do you want Jesus to do for you? Take time to contemplate your response. Write it down and pray over it.
Who Do You Say I Am? (Matt. 16:15) – Imagine yourself sitting with Jesus, discussing all the gods this world offers us to dedicate ourselves to and worship. During the conversation, Jesus looks directly at you and asks, “Who do you say I am?” What is your answer? What place does Jesus take in your life? Remember, Jesus already knows your answer, he’s more interested in what you are willing to share with him openly. Take time to contemplate your response. Write it down and pray over it.
Do You Love Me? (John 21:15, 16, 17) – Imagine yourself sitting beside the sea, talking with Jesus, knowing that you have denied him with your life. He asks you, “Do you love me?” He asks you the question as many times as you have denied him. How many times does Jesus need to ask you? Each time he asks you, he is intending to take you deeper into your answer. Do you love him? Take time to contemplate your response. Write it down and pray over it.
So…WHO IS CHRIST TO YOU?
