Sometimes it’s good to take some time to concentrate on who Jesus is. When we look at Jesus, we look through the lens of the crucifixion, resurrection and forgiveness of sin. This is understandable, because these were such life-giving events in the lives of all of us who are sinners that we tend to restrict Jesus to this period of his life. But there is so much more: ¹⁷He was there before any of it came into existence … 

Jesus existed since the beginning. Jesus existed before the creation of the world. That makes his coming to earth even more amazing. Did He and God discuss Jesus’ coming to earth? Was Jesus excited or a little bit nervous?

I don’t know the answers to that, but once again I’m overcome with such gratitude that my God cares so much about me that He was prepared to lower Himself to the same level as a human being, and, above all, that He died for all sinners, so that they did not have to die. Wow, wow, wow!

However, Jesus not only worked as Saviour, but had another job as well: ¹⁸… and holds it all together right up to this moment.

Even if we put the most clever people who had ever lived, together with those still to be born, they will never be clever enough to hold the world and all the constellations together in harmony. If mankind had to keep the balance in the constellations, world power, weather systems and so on, we would have been extinct by now. One little mistake and oops! The world is annihilated.

The Rev. Joe Wright’s opening prayer for the American state of Kansas gives one a glimpse of what mankind actually achieves:

“Heavenly Father, we stand before Thee today to ask forgiveness and beg Thee to give us direction and lead us.  We know Thy Word says: ‘Woe to those who justify evil,’ but that is exactly what we are doing.  We have lost our spiritual balance and reversed our values.

We confess that we mock the absolute truth of Thy Word and refer to it as moral pluralism.

We worship other gods and call it multiculturalism.

We excuse perversity and say it is an alternative lifestyle.

We exploit the poor and call it a lottery.

We ignore the poor and say it is self-preservation.

We reward laziness and call it welfare work.

We murder our unborn and call it free choice.

We murder abortionists and say it is justified.

We do not discipline our children and say it builds the self-image.

We abuse power and call it political astuteness.

We covet our neighbour’s possessions and say it is merely ambition.

We pollute the air with filthy language and pornography and call it freedom of speech.”

What a relief that Jesus is in charge, because we humans are poor managers of the little bit that we’re responsbile for.

Scripture

Colossians 1:15-20

Reflection

Do you believe in Jesus?

Do you believe that He holds everything together?

Prayer

Lord, I want to pray with the Reverend and want to apologise for the mess that we humans make. We think we’re so wonderful, but actually we mess everything up. Thank you for not giving up on us. Thank you for not quitting. Thank you for keeping the balance. Amen.