“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 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. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:15-20).
Several weeks before my husband, Wayne, died he gave a communion meditation at church which he titled “It’s About Jesus.” He took his thoughts from a sermon he had preached earlier in another church. I’m including his points with this blog.
I recently finished reading through the book of Acts and the account of the early church-the acts of the apostles. And yes, it was all about Jesus. Beginning with the first chapter Jesus ascended to heaven before the astonished eyes of his apostles. In chapter 2 those men received the power of the Holy Spirit and proclaimed Jesus as Lord and Christ! About 3,000 people accepted their message, were baptized, and added to their number.
After that the apostles healed folks through the Name of Jesus. They suffered jail time and still they preached Jesus. Confronted by the authorities, they claimed that obeying God took precedence over obeying people. Their lives were certainly about Jesus.
It’s always been about Jesus. He was creator at the beginning. Prophets spoke of His coming to earth hundreds of years before His birth. His name was given to Mary and Joseph before He was part of their family. He came to serve others and showed us how to serve. He came to die, so we could live. Without His death we have no cleansing from sin. The book of Hebrews, chapters 9 and 10 explain the significance of His sacrificial death. “. . . without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb. 9:22). We have forgiveness because of His death and we have hope of everlasting life because of His resurrection! It’s about Jesus.
It’s about Jesus now. Jesus gave the command in Matthew 28:18-20 to make disciples of all nations. Jesus knew we would need a focus. He calls us to be his disciples and then to make more disciples. He credentials us for our role, not with a degree or certificate, but with a credential issued by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He confers upon us the high title of “disciple.”
As we live life He converts us. He radically changes and transforms us as we lose our old life and find our true life. Finally, He commissions us to share His Kingdom work. Disciple making, rightly done, is learning to live life completely and fully. It is one life rubbing another life-full contact engagement. It is hugging others to Jesus.
It’s All about Jesus! It’s not about the church building where we worship or the worship team, or even the preacher. It’s not about our selfish desires or motives. If we belong to Jesus then we are His Body and it’s all about Him!
These words from a song by Casting Crowns give us something to think about.
If we are the Body, why aren’t His arms reaching?
Why aren’t His hands healing?
Why aren’t His words teaching?
Why aren’t His feet going?
Why is His love not showing?