Creating and upholding (Colossians 1:17)

 ‘And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together’ (Colossians 1:17).

When we think someone or something is great, we will speak about him or it often, even if we are repeating ourselves. Paul has already told the Colossians about the pre-existence of Jesus. Yet he mentions the claim again in this verse, not because his readers may have missed his earlier emphasis, but because the fact is worth re-telling. Is that not what worship is? Worship is repeating well-known truths about God to God, sometimes in the presence of others and sometimes when we are by ourselves. It is a great privilege, when speaking to God or about God, to repeat what he has said about himself.

 

Paul describes the preexistence of Jesus by using the present tense. Maybe he does so to ensure that we don’t conclude that the greatness of Jesus depends on his activities in the cosmos. After all, an artist is famous because of his paintings; if he had not produced his works of art, he would not be known about. His glory comes after he has produced something commendable. In contrast, Jesus is always full of divine glory. Of course, he has received further glory because of what he did when he became a man and brought about salvation before ascending as the God/man mediator to the highest position. Yet we confess he is the one who is glorious eternally.

 

Because of who he is, the Son of God can do remarkable things. One of them is that he constantly keeps everything in existence in himself. We can remind ourselves of this truth when we look out on a clear night to the star-filled sky or marvel at the beauty of a morning sunrise. But we also see this truth when we look in the mirror. Our minds and hearts, our capabilities and affections, are upheld by him moment by moment. Perhaps the next time we are in a crowded airport, we can reflect for a few minutes on how much depends on the Son of God holding all things together – arriving and leaving planes, all kinds of people going through different experiences, the long or short journeys that people make, and much more. All depends on him. Without him, nothing would exist. Without him, there would be no all things.

 

It is possible to deduce from his preserving of all things that he has plans for the current cosmos. Otherwise, he would have removed it and brought its existence to an end. We know that the creation will undergo deliverance from bondage at the public manifestation of the sons of God. We could say that the Saviour is keeping in existence his inheritance, and ours, as he holds all things in their places. So his upholding is not only for his glory, but it is also an expression of his desire to have a place where he will be with his people forever.