Who Is Jesus?

November 26, 2022

Who Is Jesus?

By Brooke Holt

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And 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, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:13–20)

Who is Jesus? This is one of the most important questions you can ask. It certainly has been a popular question throughout the ages with many different answers: the Son of God, the Word made flesh, a good teacher, a prophet, or just another man. Maybe an even more important question is: Who is Jesus to you? What do you believe about him, and how does that belief shape your life?

As Paul wrote to the church in Colossae, he sought to answer this question about Jesus. In these seven verses of Colossians, Paul explained that Jesus is the beloved Son of God, the way of redemption and forgiveness, the image of God in the flesh, the Creator, the sustainer of all things, the infinite one, the head of the body, the supreme authority in heaven and on earth, and the one to bring reconciliation. That is a lot to convey in just seven verses! Take time to consider if you are experiencing Jesus in all these capacities. Is he your Rescuer, the one in whom you find salvation and the forgiveness of sins? Is he your authority? Do you believe he is infinite in every way and fully in control of your life? Do you believe he can bring reconciliation to this world, and are you cooperating with that plan?

Jesus came to reveal the Father to us. Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, the Word made flesh (Matthew 1:23; John 1:14). In Christ, we see the Father’s steadfast and perfect love for his people. In Jesus, we find our identity as children of God, holy and beloved, welcomed and redeemed (John 1:12). In Jesus, we can find the faithful way forward for every conflict in this world as he made the way for our reconciliation first to the Father and then to one another (Romans 5:11; 2 Corinthians 5:18–19).

Paul longed for his readers to know and understand that Jesus was and is our great Rescuer. He came to save you from the domain of darkness so that you may live in his kingdom on earth and in heaven. He loves you and wants you to live in the fullness of that love. In your heart, who is Jesus? In your life, who is Jesus? And in your testimony to others, who is Jesus?

These are and will continue to be the most important questions we could ever ask.

Reflection:

What does the Lord want you to know about his Son today? How is he inviting you into a deeper relationship with his Son to receive even more of his glorious love, power, and grace so that you may thrive in this life and the life to come? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resource:

Advent is like celebrating a national holiday in a foreign land — like observing the 4th of July as an expatriate. Locals do not understand the fuss. Advent is equal parts cherishing and missing home. AND it’s a mix of loving this world while getting ready to leave it behind. This makes Advent the most human and most complex celebration we have. Isaiah the prophet, David the psalmist, Paul the apostle, John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus all lived in one world and longed for the next. They loved this world and loved the world to come even more. In these 28 devotions in Face the Dawn, join them in wearing the paradox of Christianity- this world may be our home, but that world is HOME.