COLOSSIANS 1:19 – For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell
THEME OF THE DAY. UNDER THE LORDSHIP AND CARE OF JESUS. In today’s scripture, the declaration of the Lord Jesus as fully God occurs. This isn’t the first time we are drawn to behold the fullness of deity and all that is associated with such fullness. The Apostle John opens up his gospel with the glorious truths of what we find in the fullness of Christ’s deity – And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”). For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:14-17). But this fullness we observe and experience from the Lord Jesus – grace and truth – also extends into the roles He holds in the life of His children. As the fullness of deity in the flesh, our Lord is not only full of grace and truth. In this fullness, He occupies three positions in and over our lives – King, Prophet, and Priest. These roles go beyond just Jesus being our Savior and actually direct the living of the Christian life under His Lordship and care.
First, out of the fullness of the Lord Jesus is His Kingship, or authority over us. Our Lord is rightly proclaimed “Lord of Lords and King of Kings” (Revelation 19:16). And His kingly rule is over all creation and creatures, and especially so over His children. How is this lived out in the Christian life? Glad submission, uncompromised obedience, and unrivalled loyalty to King Jesus. In daily practical application, this means all of life – our desires, pleasures, direction, goals, plans, resources, talents, gifts, and everything else is lived under the authority of King Jesus. And what does that produce? Abounding joy for we are discovering the true Christian life.
Next, out of the fullness of the Lord Jesus is His Prophet office teaching us the truth of life and Himself. The Apostle Paul reminds the Ephesian believers of the teaching ministry in their lives – Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus (Ephesians 4:17-21). What about us? Are we growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus through the Prophet – Teacher role He is to us? Remember, He is not just Savior. He is also our Teacher. Don’t remain a spiritual infant due to lack of being a consistent “student” in the classroom of the Master Teacher.
Finally, out of the fullness of the Lord Jesus is His High Priestly role over us by His constant praying for us – The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:23-25). Pause and praise; the Creator/Redeemer prays for us. Constantly. When we sin, fall, or backslide, cling to this truth. The King who rules over us; the Prophet who teaches us, is also the High Priest praying for our restoration.
Yes, Jesus is far more than our Savior. Learn to live the Christian life under His authority, His teaching, and His praying. In doing so, we are living the true Christian life. .
PRAYER: “Father, may I learn to live all of my life under the Lordship and care of Your glorious Son.”
QUOTE: “Learn to shape and then direct all of life under the Lord Jesus as King, Prophet, and Priest.”