This post is part two of a three-part series on Colossians 1. In this series, we’re exploring what it means for Jesus to be first—his identity, his work, and how we respond to his preeminence in our lives.
In the first post, we saw that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15). He isn’t just important—he’s preeminent. And the natural question that flows from that is: why? Why should Jesus be first in our lives?
Paul answers that in Colossians 1 by showing us what Jesus has done—his work in creation and his work on the cross. These two truths reveal why he is worthy of first place in every heart.
Jesus: Creator of All Things
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”—Colossians 1:16–17
Everything we see—and everything still unseen—was created by Jesus. He is the agent of creation (by him) and the goal of creation (for him). John 1:3 puts it simply: “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
John 1:3 reveals that we are not here for ourselves. We are here for him. It’s easy to forget that in a culture built on individualism. We like to think this story is about us, but it’s not. It’s his story.
Think of a two-year-old at an older sibling’s birthday party. Balloons, presents, and cake, but it’s not their party. Unfortunately, the two-year-old thinks it is. They want to blow out the candles, open the gifts, and take the spotlight. The parent must gently say, “Hey, this isn’t about you.” We often need that same reminder: this isn’t our party. This is Jesus’ world, and we should be grateful to be invited.
Twenty years ago, Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life became one of the bestselling books in history, translated into over 130 languages. The first sentence? “It’s not about you.”
Those four words cut against everything our culture tells us—and align perfectly with what Paul says in Colossians 1. Why do stars pulsate, rivers roar, and babies cry their first breath? It’s all for him, and that truth should stir humility, awe, and worship. Jesus is the creator and sustainer of all things, and he deserves to be first.
Jesus: Firstborn from the Dead
“He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead… For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things… making peace by the blood of his cross.”—Colossians 1:18–20
Jesus isn’t only first because of creation. He’s also first because of the cross. Paul says he is “firstborn from the dead”—the first to rise, never to die again. He opened the door of resurrection life.
And here’s the best part: he didn’t just blaze a trail—he brought us with him. Once, we were “alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds” (v. 21). But Jesus reconciled us to God “by the blood of his cross” (v. 20) so that we could be presented “holy and blameless and above reproach” (v. 22).
There was an unbridgeable gap between sinful people and a holy God. Jesus stepped into that gap, died in our place, and rose again so that we could live forever with him.
In 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man to run a mile in under four minutes. People had been racing each other for centuries, but no one had broken the barrier. He did it, and then just 46 days later, someone else did too. Since then, nearly 2,000 athletes have run sub-four-minute miles. Bannister was first, but many followed. Jesus is the first to defeat death, but many will follow. He was first, and he went first. He threw open a door that is still open today for anyone who will trust him.
Because of Creation and the Cross
Jesus deserves to be first because he created us, and he redeemed us. When the pressures of life pull our hearts away from what’s first, the answer is to dwell on Christ and his work:
- Let the beauty of creation point you back to the wonder of the creator.
- Let every reminder of your sin point you back to his grace.
Bringing It Home
As you finish reading, don’t just move on. Take a few moments to truly pause and reflect. The truths of Colossians 1 are meant to move from our minds to our hearts, reshaping how we live. Honestly consider these questions today in God’s presence:
- Do I see myself as part of Jesus’ story, or do I expect him to be part of mine?
- What areas of my life compete with Christ instead of serving him?
- Have I trusted in Jesus as the firstborn from the dead, the one who brings me from death to life?
Much of the Christian life is simply fighting to remember how good Jesus has been to us in creation and at the cross. He is before all things, and he must be first in our lives.
Andrew Hopper
