August 21, 2024
Praying Friends,
As we continue in our Colossian journey from Chapter 1:15-23, the beauties of the Lord Jesus are wondrously displayed. First, He is portrayed as the image of the invisible God. The one who perfectly and exactly reflects and reveals all that God is. Then He is presented as the firstborn, the one supreme being who created and sustains all creation. Now, Paul speaks of Him as the head of the church.
“And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” (Colossians 1:18 NIV).
The word “head” has the idea of authority and supply. In the analogy of the body, it is the place of control for the body. All the signals for bodily movements come from the head. Some are involuntary, while others require a more deliberate thought process.
The head also supplies and provides what the body needs. In the same way, the Lord Jesus is the head of the body, the church. We are the church! You are the church! This comes out in the next chapter: “They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow” (Colossians 2:19).
One critical lesson from this truth is that when you acknowledge Him as Head, you find your true source of life! So often we turn to worldly, to unwholesome things to fill our needs, but He alone is our true supply. He is able to feed us, sustain us, and provide what we need for growth.
Headship is godly, servant leadership. It is lovingly and humbly leading for the purpose of healthy relationships, the thriving of character, and ultimately, the glory of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our head. He is the complete and perfect example of what headship is meant to be. He is the head of the Church, His body, with the purpose of directing us and providing for us in such a way that will cause us to prosper and flourish.
What do you need today?
Cry out to Jesus! He can supply what you need. He can provide you with grace when those around you treat you unkindly or inconsiderately. He can give you the strength to say “no” to worldly passions that assail your mind. He can fill you with wisdom when the decision seems unclear. He uses His Word to accomplish this.
More often than not, His supply comes to us through His people. God has positioned you and has uniquely equipped you to meet the needs of certain saints. You have the privilege of helping other believers in the loneliness, emptiness, and desperation they feel when going through extreme trials. What a blessing to be in partnership with Christ in meeting the needs of His Church.
This is important for the current leaders. It is necessary for the upcoming leaders. Whether you lead a Sunday School class, an ESL class, a Bible class, a family, a church, or even a business, these principles of headship apply.
Whoever may be under your authority, they are not less than. They are just in a situation where they need your leadership and protection. Take your example from Christ and treat them with love and dignity. In the end, they will value your role as head.
The problem with the false teachers in Chapter 2 was that they lost that connection with their head (Colossians 2:19). They were getting their instruction and supply from somewhere other than Jesus. Our challenge today is to stay close to Him!
In closing, to adequately receive from your head in heaven, you will need to stay close to Jesus. The full, steady flow of nourishing life from Him will enable you to in turn give it to those you are responsible for.
Thank you for praying for our prodigals and for revival.
Love in Christ,
Bryan and Rachel
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