Tuesday, January 7, 2025
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. Colossians 1:15-18
Jesus – The Head of the Church
As Christians we go to church every Sunday, go to Bible study, fellowships, etc. without ever really giving much thought to the question above. The foundation of the church – the body of Christ – was set by God before the beginning of time. Jesus, God’s Son, and part of the trinity is above all and in Him all things hold together.
It goes without saying that as the body of Christ, everything we do should glorify him and point a lost world to him. The real purpose can be lost in a sea of preferences. We can get distracted and make church about everything but Jesus. Personalities, politics, preferences, programs, and so much more can get in the way, and completely unintentionally we can leave Jesus out. We can say his name and sing songs about him, but we may not want him to show up and influence the way we do what we do. But God set Jesus as the head of the church so he should influence all we do.
Jesus is God as Paul tells us in verse 15. He is the image of the invisible God, sharing in creation of all things in heaven and on earth. He created them all and they all answer to him. Because the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. Ephesians 5:23
Verse 18 says that He (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. As Christians we are a part of the body, the church. Jesus is over all things – thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities.
A capstone is a finishing stone atop an outer wall or roof. The capstone protects the masonry, causing water to flow in a certain way to prevent erosion. The capstone acts as a shield of sorts. The capstone is the final stone placed on top that helps hold the structure together.
The capstone, like the cornerstone, is an important metaphor for Jesus and His prominence as Head of the church and the kingdom of God. Jesus serves as a protector for us, just as a capstone does. He is a shield for us as a capstone shields the other stones from erosion from water. And just as a capstone is the final stone placed on a structure that holds it together, Jesus is what holds us together from top to bottom, beginning to end.
Philippians 2:9-11 tells us, Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
He is superior overall and holds a position no one else is fit to hold. He is the cornerstone of the church providing the foundation the body of Christ is built on. He is the only one worthy of our worship and praise. Through his sacrifice on the cross as payment for our sins we have been redeemed and instantly gain eternal membership in the body of Christ.
Jesus is the ultimate leader of the church. He paid for our sin and redeemed us. As a part of the body we share in his work. Where can he use you today? Is there a ministry in the church you would like more information about?
