Revelation of Jesus!

This morning I am reading from Paul's letter to the Colossians 1:15-23 NIV:

[15] "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16] For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. [17] He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [18] 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. [19] For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, [20] 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."

[21] "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. [22] But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation--- [23] if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant."

Again, Paul fills a few lines with such depth and richness, it is impossible to fully grasp all of which Paul speaks. Take the following statement as an example, "God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him (Jesus)".  How are we to fully comprehend this truth, when can't comprehend the fullness of God?

I love that Paul has been given revelation about the centrality of Christ Jesus.  Here are the points of the revelation as he lists them:

1) Jesus is the image of the invisible God (The Father)
2) Jesus is the first born over all creation (The Word)
3) All things were created in Him
4) All things were created through Him
5) All things were created for Him
6) He is before all things (He existed before, and is preeminent)
7) In Jesus all things hold together
8) He is the head of the Church, which is His body
9) He is the beginning (Gen 1:1)
10) He is the first born among the dead (to raise form the dead)
11) He is supreme over everything
12) All God's fullness dwells in Jesus
13) Through Jesus all things are reconciled to the Father (things on heaven or on earth)
14) Peace is made between man and God through Jesus' blood, shed on the cross

Wow, when you put Paul' sentences like this, one begins to grasp how deep and wide Paul's revelation was concerning Jesus! Any one of these short lines could be expounded into a chapter or even a book.  I have a 362 page book just on Jesus' precious blood, which is just part of the revelation for point 14!

So often I think we allow ourselves to feel acquainted with Jesus, like we understand Him  because we read the Gospels, know the stories and can imagine Him as a man.  When I read a list like this, I realize how God's plans and purposes are so much deeper, wider, longer and higher than I can comprehend!  We can never reach an end in our quest for revelation concerning Jesus, we can never fully understand Him, His ways, His purposes or His thoughts.  However, this should not dissuade us from pursuing Him, and diving into revelation of Him. He loves when we pursue Him and rewards us with deeper revelation.  I have no doubt that this is a worthy life-long pursuit.

Paul continues on with equally astounding understanding.  He says that we have been reconciled to God through Christ's physical body, through death.  The goal is that He might introduce us to the Father, holy in His sight, without blemish and free of any accusation.  This is the result of our faith in Him, continuing in our faith, continuing in our relationship.  Later in his letter to the Colossians (3:3) Paul says we are now hidden in Christ.  It is because of this, that when we are presented to the Father that He receives us as holy in His sight, without blemish and free of any accusation.  It is because Christ Jesus has cancelled our debt of everything we have ever done and will do, and because when He looks at us, He sees us as we exist in Jesus (clean and holy, purified and free of any debt).

Taking one step further into revelation, if we are hidden in Christ (Col 3:3) and all of God's fullness dwells in Jesus, then we are surrounded by and immersed into all the fullness of God when we enter into Christ.  OK, that is enough thinking for my poor brain today!

Lord, I know that You want us to understand and experience the depths of Your love, and revelation available to us in You!  Help us to go deep, to never stop pursuing You and Your revelation!  You are so good, and I am amazed that You would ever consider me interesting and worthy of Your affection, but You do!

Thank You Lord!