"Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn (comes from a Greek word meaning, 'preeminent') over all creation. For by Jesus all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth....All things were created through Jesus and for Jesus. And Jesus is before all things, and in Jesus all things consist (literally, 'hold together'). And Jesus is the head of the body, the Church, Jesus is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things Jesus may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Jesus all the fullness should dwell...." (Colossians 1:15-19, again, from one of today's readings)
Some have indicated to me over the years that giving so much "glory" to Jesus somehow takes away from the Glory of the Father. Nonsense. The Bible teaches, in fact, that when we affirm the Preeminence of Jesus Christ, we are giving Preeminence, Glory, Honor to Our Father. Rather than attempting to "understand" the Blessed Trinity, just accept the fact, "....All should honor the Son just as they honor the Father." (John 5)
So back to why we should speak more and more of Jesus. Well, for one thing, if political leaders, and anybody else, for that matter, would have a greater sense of Who Jesus Is, "....the Image of the Invisible God," they never would equate the god of Islam and, "Our Father Who is in Heaven." I simply cannot say it emphatically enough. If Jesus does not have the Preeminence in our lives, in our churches, our witness, books, our worship, our everything, the increasingly confused world will continue to think that the bumper stickers which give equality to all religions are cute, even admirable. Do not be so anti-theological to believe that it does not matter "what you believe." What we believe determines our whole existence (I could elaborate).
I have said this (which to some is ad nauseam) many, many times: When we speak of "God" it can, and far too often does, give people the choice to create their own god, an "inclusive god," a "god" for everyone's liking, if you will. This is a bigger problem in more local congregations than most believe. When we speak of Jesus, those "options" are eliminated. In Jesus there is no doubt as to Who God Is. If we talk to someone about "God," they will be far more tolerant of us than if we speak to them about Jesus. To the unregenerate minds, "god" is whatever their minds create, shear speculation. To that same mind, Jesus eliminates the speculation. And it is not the "what-would-Jesus-do" Jesus, which is usually code for, "What-I-would-want-Jesus-to-do. It is the Jesus revealed in the Gospels, in the Epistles, yes, the entirety of the Bible.
Jesus is, "....God with us." Furthermore, the Bible tells us that mankind can only see, "God in the Face of Jesus Christ"; therefore, try an experiment for a while. When you speak of God, instead, insert the Word, Jesus. See what happens.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I, like so many others, really have wanted to know You. Thank You that in Jesus You have made that a reality. Amen.
Some have indicated to me over the years that giving so much "glory" to Jesus somehow takes away from the Glory of the Father. Nonsense. The Bible teaches, in fact, that when we affirm the Preeminence of Jesus Christ, we are giving Preeminence, Glory, Honor to Our Father. Rather than attempting to "understand" the Blessed Trinity, just accept the fact, "....All should honor the Son just as they honor the Father." (John 5)
So back to why we should speak more and more of Jesus. Well, for one thing, if political leaders, and anybody else, for that matter, would have a greater sense of Who Jesus Is, "....the Image of the Invisible God," they never would equate the god of Islam and, "Our Father Who is in Heaven." I simply cannot say it emphatically enough. If Jesus does not have the Preeminence in our lives, in our churches, our witness, books, our worship, our everything, the increasingly confused world will continue to think that the bumper stickers which give equality to all religions are cute, even admirable. Do not be so anti-theological to believe that it does not matter "what you believe." What we believe determines our whole existence (I could elaborate).
I have said this (which to some is ad nauseam) many, many times: When we speak of "God" it can, and far too often does, give people the choice to create their own god, an "inclusive god," a "god" for everyone's liking, if you will. This is a bigger problem in more local congregations than most believe. When we speak of Jesus, those "options" are eliminated. In Jesus there is no doubt as to Who God Is. If we talk to someone about "God," they will be far more tolerant of us than if we speak to them about Jesus. To the unregenerate minds, "god" is whatever their minds create, shear speculation. To that same mind, Jesus eliminates the speculation. And it is not the "what-would-Jesus-do" Jesus, which is usually code for, "What-I-would-want-Jesus-to-do. It is the Jesus revealed in the Gospels, in the Epistles, yes, the entirety of the Bible.
Jesus is, "....God with us." Furthermore, the Bible tells us that mankind can only see, "God in the Face of Jesus Christ"; therefore, try an experiment for a while. When you speak of God, instead, insert the Word, Jesus. See what happens.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I, like so many others, really have wanted to know You. Thank You that in Jesus You have made that a reality. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
