Colossians 1:13-20 - Lectionary for Last Sunday of the Church Year, Cycle C
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
In this week’s Psalm and Old Testament readings we are confronted with the serious nature of rejecting God. Those who have rejected God and His Word are going to face judgment rather than mercy in the last day. Our Epistle reading from Colossians 1:13-20 tells us very clearly what kind of Lord Jesus is. He, God the Son, is the one who rescues from darkness. He is the one who brings forgiveness.
What authority does Jesus have? The apostle tells us that Jesus is the one who is the instigator and focus of all creation. He created all things. He created them for his use. In him, all things “hold together” (v. 17). And he uses them together to reconcile all heaven and earth to God. That is Jesus’ purpose. He is the one who makes peace.
The death of Jesus, then, is not wasted. It is very purposely done by the one who created all things. He alone has the power to make his death take the place of your death and my death. He is the one who has made peace between man and God. He is the only one who can do this. In our Psalm and in Malachi we read that it is by believing God, taking him at his word, that we are his people, under his protection. Nothing has changed. The New Testament tells us very clearly that it is as we are trusting Jesus that we find ourselves to be his chosen people.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
In this week’s Psalm and Old Testament readings we are confronted with the serious nature of rejecting God. Those who have rejected God and His Word are going to face judgment rather than mercy in the last day. Our Epistle reading from Colossians 1:13-20 tells us very clearly what kind of Lord Jesus is. He, God the Son, is the one who rescues from darkness. He is the one who brings forgiveness.
What authority does Jesus have? The apostle tells us that Jesus is the one who is the instigator and focus of all creation. He created all things. He created them for his use. In him, all things “hold together” (v. 17). And he uses them together to reconcile all heaven and earth to God. That is Jesus’ purpose. He is the one who makes peace.
The death of Jesus, then, is not wasted. It is very purposely done by the one who created all things. He alone has the power to make his death take the place of your death and my death. He is the one who has made peace between man and God. He is the only one who can do this. In our Psalm and in Malachi we read that it is by believing God, taking him at his word, that we are his people, under his protection. Nothing has changed. The New Testament tells us very clearly that it is as we are trusting Jesus that we find ourselves to be his chosen people.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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