“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation.” –Colossians 1:15
There is a definitive, yet often forgotten biblical theme surrounding God’s view of creation. It is not that of a process of resurrecting His beloved Jerusalem, nor His plan to bring to unity the brilliance of the heavens with a transformed earth. While these describe God’s purposes to come, it is only a small part of the story of creation. As Paul contemplates in his letter to the Colossians, the purpose and fullness of God’s creation is Christ, the “visible image of the invisible God,” who gives creation its eternal worth.
Christ coming in human form, is the epic ending of time—the consummate end to God’s final conquest over sin and evil. He is the second Genesis, bringing the enduring chasm between creation and God into perfect union; Christ is the first creation, the intended plan for humanity and the image of an eternal Creator living among the created.
Christ is not a new story, but the oldest story at last made visible. Yet, His story is not complete: He is at work in us even now. His image may be hidden behind the veil of our corruption, but we have the assurance that we are being remade in His likeness day by day. Slowly, we are being shaped into reflections of the visible form of the invisible God at work within us.
Praise God, for in this reality, we look forward to the fullness of God! He is making His home among His people again. Let us not be discouraged by the weakness of our image today, but gaze all the more at the perfect image of Christ for which we wait expectantly. For soon there will be a moment—an imminent second in time—when we will see his image. In that moment it will be familiar—for in Christ what is unseen has become seen–
“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).
Heavenly Father, help me find joy today in Christ, who is both the first creation and Your perfect, eternal image. Give me faith to know that one day I will be transformed into Your likeness. As I wait, teach me to look to Christ instead of earthly things, because the reality of Your presence transforms everything. Amen.
Passage for Further Reading:
Colossians 1:15-23
About the Author:
Micah Olson is a sophomore at Vanderbilt University studying economics, history and philosophy. He has a passion for exploring the riches of Christ through classical theology and philosophy and is the Managing Editor for Synesis.
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