TLIC FAMILY. DAY 286. OCTOBER 13: BY, THROUGH, FOR HIM.

THINK TOGETHER

What is your favorite story about Jesus?

READ TOGETHER

Jesus is everything!

That’s what Paul wants the Christians in Colossae and all of us Christians today to know. Everything in the universe comes from Jesus, is through Jesus, and is for Jesus. Here’s how Paul says it to the Colossians:

Colossians 1:16. 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. ¹⁷ And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 

At church you’ve probably hear lots and lots of stories about the man Jesus. How he healed the sick, and raised the dead. How he did miracles and told parables. You’ve probably heard the story of how Jesus was born and how he died and rose again.

But in Colossians Paul wants us to meet the Jesus who is also the center of the whole universe. The Jesus who is the Christ – the Savior King of everything. And so Paul makes some really big claims about Jesus.

By him all things were created – This means that everything in the universe, every tree, every rock, every person, every planet was IN Jesus and came out of him at creation.

all things were created through him – This means that Jesus made it all. Jesus made Jupiter. Jesus made kangaroos. Jesus made the galaxies, and Jesus made the grass. And Jesus made you!

and for him – This means that everything that exists was not only made by Jesus, but also FOR Jesus. It’s all his and one day everything will point to his glory and grace.

in him all things hold together – Jesus didn’t make everything and then walk away from it all. He made it and he is holding it all together. Scientists still don’t know what holds the universe together, but we do! It’s Jesus.

Truly these are amazing claims to make about a person. But they are all true. Jesus is a person, but he is also the creator and king of the universe. And because our creator became a person he can also be our Savior. And now, because Jesus is our savior, we are BY, THROUGH, and FOR him. And nothing can ever take that away.

Because of Jesus everything was made to bring glory to him.

With Jesus wecan live for his glory instead of our own.

DO SOMETHING TOGETHER

Here’s a great song to sing together.

PRAY TOGETHER

Jesus,

You alone are the center of the universe, not me. Help me to remember that I live for your glory.

Amen.

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