Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead… What striking figures are employed to describe the union between Christ and His Church! 1. They are the flock, He is the Shepherd (John 10:11-14). They are the bride, He is the Bridegroom (Revelation 21:2-6). 3. They are the branches, He is the Stem. 4. Here, and elsewhere, they are the body, He the Head. I. How CLOSE the connection between the head and the body. Yet as close is that between Christ and His Church. Not only is it near and dear to Him, it is identified with Him (Ephesians 1:23). His human body was not less necessary to His completeness as a man than His Church is to the completeness of His glory. It was much for Christ to notice, more to pity, more still to die for sinners, but to draw so near to them as this — well may Paul call it a great mystery. II. What a FELLOW FEELING there is between the body and the head! Is a man's body in pain, and does not the head know and feel, and the tongue complain? So when the Church suffers the Saviour feels.(Hebrews 4:15; Matthew 25:40). III. What a beautiful CONFORMITY; how exactly is the head proportioned to the body, and how precisely is it suited in its make to the body's wants! Suppose the head of a brute were affixed, not only would the sight be monstrous, but that which the body's fashion renders necessary could never be supplied. And is not the Head of this Church exactly what it wants? Christians need Almighty succour and support, such as could be given by no merely human head. IV. What an EMINENT STATION does the head occupy, when by its various senses and faculties it is capable of regulating and directing all our movements! So Jesus is made "Head over all things to His Church," that He may preside over all its concerns, and order the whole course of its events. He sees, hears, speaks, and thinks for it. It is guided by His eye, directed by His wisdom, recommended by His intercession. V. The human head MAY BE SEPARATED from the body. Hence the body in that case dies. But the Church cannot die because no separation can take place between it and its Head (Romans 8:35-39). Conclusion — 1. Is the Head gone up into heaven? Then the members will follow. 2. Are we members of this body? not members of the visible Church, nor professors of Christianity. 3. This union is effected by faith, cemented by love, and exhibited in obedience. (A. Roberts, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. |
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