Christ is Preeminent

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    I am not sure if you have realized this yet or not, but words fascinate me!  Reading the Bible provides me with ample opportunity to look into new words. These times of study never fail to produce a special, new understanding of our Savior. As you know, I love to share with you lessons that I come across in my studies.  Today's thoughts are no different.  It all started with a look at a strange to me word:  PREEMINENCE.  What on earth (or heaven) does that mean?  It is certainly not a word used in everyday vocabulary.  My curiosity (more likely, the Holy Spirit) led me down this path of blessing.  Colossians 1: 18-20 reads: 

And He {Christ} is head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might have preeminence. For in Him the fulness of God was pleased to dwell and  through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether in heaven or on earth, making peace by the blood of His cross. (ESV)

    My first step look at parallel translations. Preeminence is translated here a few different ways across various translations:  some say "first in all things."  The majority use the word, "preeminence."  The Wycliffe Bible says "first dignity in all things."  The NIV uses the word, "supremacy."

   Next, I looked up the word itself.  The Oxford Dictionary says preeminence means, "surpassing all others, very distinguished in some way." 

    Finally, I looked into other places this word is used in the Bible.  The original Greek work used here is only used in this place in the New Testament. However, the concept of Christ's place of honor above all things is definitely found in many places in the Bible.  He is the firstborn of all creation, the only begotton Son of God, the King of Kings, and much, much more.  He is first in all things, because He IS the beginning of all.  Colossians 1:19 tells us that God's design was to make Jesus the First of all, or Supreme over all, for the purpose of reconciling ALL THINGS to Himself (God).  Christ's work on the cross was the way He chose to do this (verse 20).  The focus of the cross is returning Christ to His place of supremacy, or preeminence. 

    So my next step was to ponder awhile on what this means.  How does this impact me? I have often heard it said(and have said myself!), "Put Jesus first." While that is true, what we fail to understand is that He already is first!  He has been given that place by God the Father. Colossians 1:18 is referring to much more than placing the name Jesus on the top of your list of priories.  No, He should hold every place on that list because He encompasses all of creation, redemption and life! What  I learned from Colossians 1: 18-20 is that Jesus is more than first. I am called to honor Him in EVERYTHING, recognizing His place of preeminence over heaven and earth.  I must yield all my will to His, because He holds the power. Do I just go through the motions of acknowledging Him, or have I yielded myself completely to His Kingship? All of us will bow before Him one day -- but we can bow before Him today in full submission and experience that peace of reconciliation with the Father through the Preeminence of the Son!

Wow.  That's a lot of seriously heavy stuff.  I will never fully understand it. But, I encourage you to look into words or phrases in Scripture that you don't understand.  You will uncover a treasure trove of riches that will not fail to help you understand more about our Savior!

Soli Deo Gloria!

💓 Heather Sparks 💓


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