August 14, 2024
Praying Friends,
Firstborns are a special breed…or at least they think so! Well, we are all special in some way. Some very common characteristics of firstborns include that of being assertive and confident. They often carry a strong sense of responsibility and reliability. They often feel protective of younger siblings and display nurturing behaviors. The negative traits I’ll leave for another time.
The reason I am writing about firstborns is that in Colossians 1, Paul uses that term to describe the Lord Jesus.
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-17 NIV).
Normally, the way we think of firstborns is by their birth order. They are the firstborn in the family. That was certainly true of Jesus in his earthly family, but that is not what Paul is getting at here.
Biblically, the term “firstborn” can refer to a special place of superiority, a place of uniqueness. This was the case with David, the son of Jesse. He had seven older brothers and so was not the firstborn in birth order. Yet in Psalm 89:27 the LORD says, “And I will appoint him to be my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth.” God was determined to give him unique authority and power.
Firstborn refers not to birth order but to rank or position. Note that Jesus is called the firstborn, not the first-created. The term "firstborn" signifies priority. The Lord Jesus, the eternal Son, lived before creation, occupying sovereignty and power over it.
Paul presents Jesus, the firstborn, as the creator of all things. All above and below, visible and invisible, including the host of angelic beings, which are the invisible powers, rulers, and authorities of verse 16. It was all created through His wisdom, power, and insight.
The Lord Jesus created everything with care and purpose. Paul states that He did it all for Himself, for His own glory, for His own personal pleasure. This sheds new light on why He made us the way He did — in His own image. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).
The Son perfectly reveals who God is (verse 15), and now as sons and daughters of God, we too are able to reflect the beauty of our Savior and Lord. We were created for Him. This is a staggering reality that brings great purpose into our lives.
Our Creator has fashioned each of us in His image with unique qualities all for the purpose of bringing joy to His heart. He has provided us with abilities, gifts, and personalities that together can contribute to the glory of His great name.
When you live with the understanding that life is not all about me, not about my pleasure, or my comfort, or my advancement, but it is all about Him and His glory. The pleasures of your life are meant to be enjoyed for sure, but when you can do it for Him, the pleasure increases a thousand-fold.
Eric Liddell was a British Olympian runner back in 1924. He was awarded the gold medal for the 400 meter race. He is attributed with saying, “I believe God made me for a purpose. He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure.” Not only did Eric run for His God, but he left the shores of Britain to serve his Lord as a missionary in China until he died in 1945.
When my pleasure is His pleasure, life has real meaning! And that statement works both ways: when His pleasure is my pleasure, life has real meaning! Either way, it is a life aligned with the One who made us.
As you meditate on the Lord Jesus as the firstborn, consider the implications of total surrender. He deserves our all!
Thank you for praying for our prodigals and for revival.
Love in Christ,
Bryan and Rachel
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