Forward Today: It’s all about Christ Jesus

Dear friends in Christ,

This coming Sunday’s epistle reading brings us the beginning of St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Here’s an excerpt, one of the great highlights in the whole New Testament, if you ask me:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

Given all the chaos in our time, and the challenges of keeping churches running, it might be easy to fail to keep the main thing the main thing. Jesus is it, as St. Paul so beautifully reminds us.

Jesus shows us who God is. Jesus is bigger than any earthly ruler. Jesus is our salvation, our reconciler, and our hope. And Jesus is the head of the church. He is not some dusty relic or quaint legend. This very day, as church leaders sometimes wonder which way to go in an ever-changing world, Jesus is ready to lead us if we will but turn to him in faith and obedience.

Isn’t that Good News?

Yours faithfully,

Scott Gunn
Executive Director

More from our ministry:

St. Paul as mentor, model, and encourager: The Heart of a Leader

Scripture for spiritual practice: The Way of Love Bible Challenge

On sale now: A Light Upon My Path devotions for Advent

There’s still time to read Psalms with the Good Book Club!