Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead… It is the ordination of providence that in every society or profession there should be a head — some one who should have the pre-eminence. The father ought to be the chief of his house. Israel was governed by God, yet He chose Moses as His vice-gerent, and when the nation was afterwards divided into tens, hundreds, etc., still Moses retained the preeminence. No society could hang together without this. The same ordination holds good in the Church. From its members some are made eminent pastors, etc., yet there is but one to whom the pre-eminence belongs. And we are told the reason of it. Among men we see eminence variously displayed: one is eminent for wisdom, another for power, and so on; but Christ is pre-eminent in all things. Therefore Christ is reserved for this honour; and that not simply as God, but as Mediator. Christ has pre-eminence. I. IN THE ESTIMATION OF DEITY. 1. On whom does the Father concentrate His love and delight? Jehovah calls Him His own Son, His dear Son, His beloved Son. Christ is the only begotten Son in the bosom of the Father, and He speaks of the glory He had before the world was. Thrice did the Father glorify Him — at His baptism, transfiguration, and lust before His passion. At His incarnation the Father said, "Let all the angels of God worship Him," and after His burial sent angels to roll away the stone. 2. The same pre-eminence is given by the Holy Spirit. He anointed Him with the oil of gladness above His fellows — descended on Him at His baptism, glorifies Him, and receives of His. II. IN THE TESTIMONY OF THE SCRIPTURES. "They wrote of Me." "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Every metaphor that the glowing glories of earth or heaven have offered is selected to put honour on His brow. 1. Consider His titles — Foundation, Door, Captain, Advocate, Judge, etc. 2. His offices — Prophet, Priest, King, Shepherd, etc. III. AS EXHIBITED IN THE GLORY OF HIS WORKS. 1. Creation. Angels have done wonders, and men; but whoever saw anything equal to the works of Christ? 2. Providence. "The government is on His shoulders." 3. Redemption. IV. IN THE OPINION OF RELIEVERS. There are many who are very dear to us on earth and in heaven; but who has the pre-eminence? "Unto you that believe He is precious." "He is the chief among ten thousand, and the altogether lovely." V. IN THE HAPPINESS OF HEAVEN. TO be with Christ, apart from the consideration of its other glories, that is heaven. Conclusion. Give Christ the pre-eminence. 1. In your hearts. 2. In your houses. 3. Labour that He may have it in the whole world. (J. Sherman.) 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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