Say the name, and you probably think of the baby born in a manger. Or of miracles, or maybe of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Each of these images of Jesus is accurate. But the story of Jesus, and Jesus himself, didn’t begin with his birth.
The Bible says that Jesus is God; that he was God from the beginning and that he created all things. Here are some of the ways the Bible describes Jesus Christ before his birth:
• In the very beginning Jesus [called “the Word” in this passage] “was with God [the Father] and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
• Jesus is “the radiance of God’s [the Father’s] glory and the exact representation of his being (Hebrews 1:3).
• Jesus is “in very nature God” (Philippians 2:6).
• Jesus created all things (Colossians 1:16).
• All God’s fullness dwells in Jesus (Colossians 1:19).
• Jesus sustains “all things by his powerful word.” Without Jesus the universe would dissolve (Hebrews 1:3).
After Jesus’ resurrection he returned to heaven. When Jesus comes back everyone will “acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:11)—whether they want to or not. Then all will see Jesus in his glory and be forced to admit that he really is God. But we don’t have to be forced; we already believe he’s God. And best of all, he’s our Lord and Savior.
Have you ever gone on a diet? Your stomach twists. You’re starving. If you’re suffering that much, you must be losing weight. Then you get on the scales and find you’ve lost a half pound! Some people take the same approach to spirituality. They figure if they cut out everything that’s fun, they’ll be more spiritual. Paul says such things “have an appearance of wisdom” but, like diets, “lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence” (Colossians 2:23). You feel spiritual without being spiritual. What’s the true way to become a spiritual Christian? Check out Colossians 3:5–14.
Both my parents work so my brother, sister and I have assigned jobs to help out around the house. The trouble is, I get all the worst ones. Complaining doesn’t help. What else can I do?
Aiden
Dear Aiden,
Have you considered asking for a family meeting to discuss job assignments? Or if that can’t be worked out, maybe you could write your parents a note. Explain that you feel you have the worst job assignments. Ask if one or more tasks could be done on a monthly rotation. Offer to make slips of paper with all the jobs. Each week all three children could draw out the same number of tasks. Once you start putting out some ideas other ideas may come up as well. Perhaps a compromise can be reached and you can get a break.
If the assignments can’t be changed, here’s a perspective you might want to adopt. God gave the Levites the task of transporting and setting up the ark of God (1 Chronicles 15:2). They were, in fact, the only ones allowed to touch the ark. God had prescribed exactly how these duties were to be carried out. The job was not glamorous and was at times difficult. Yet the Levites were the chosen ones.
So if you’ve been “chosen” and there’s no way to get out of it, try to see your chores as necessary and important even if they’re hard or gross. We’re told, “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).
Jordan
So your parents are unfair. You do your work, and they still won’t let you go out with your friends. Or you work hard at a grocery store, and the manager is crabby at you anyway. What do you do? Paul reminds you that if your boss or your parents are unfair, that doesn’t mean you’re released from your responsibility to them. How can you keep on being a good person when others are bad to you? Here’s the secret: Remember that you are “working for the Lord,” not for your unfair parent or boss. And because it is for the Lord, “you know that you will receive an inheritance” (Colossians 3:24). What you do right is appreciated. By God himself.
Colossians
Horoscopes. Mediums. Palm Readers.
The Colossians were confused. They thought they had to go through spirits to reach God. Some said Jesus was a spirit but not a very important one. Paul explains who Jesus is and how you can stay close to God.