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It’s passages like this one from Colossians that make preachers groan when we have to preach on Paul. Not that there is nothing there—there is almost too much! But where to start. Paul says in the letter to the Corinthians (3:2) “I gave you [spiritual] milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it.” Well, this passage is not only solid food, it is something that requires a lot of chewing!
As I began to work with Paul’s words, I started to hear music. So I’m going to pair some familiar hymns with parts of Paul’s vision so we can try to understand what he is talking about. This text is often titled the “Cosmic Christ.” And it is appropriate that we think of Jesus this way since this is Christ the King Sunday—the last Sunday of the Christian year, and a reminder that Christ Reigns in heaven and on earth, Christ is the Ruler of All.
Our first idea to chew on is just that: a vision of Christ as, “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible…” (Col. 1:15-16). And what I heard as I read this was the plainsong we know as “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.” See if you can glimpse the “Cosmic Christ” in these familiar words.
1 Of the Father's love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega; he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!
2 By his Word was all created; he commanded; it was done:
heaven and earth and depths of ocean,
universe of three in one,
all that sees the moon’s soft shining,
all that breathes beneath the sun,
evermore and evermore!
5 O ye heights of heaven, adore him.
Angel hosts, his praises sing.
Powers, dominions, bow before him,
and extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent;
every voice in concert ring,
evermore and evermore!
This Cosmic Christ, this Ruler of the universe, came to live with us, to be with us, and even to die for us. This Cosmic Christ was, along with Ruler of All, “the firstborn of the dead, the place where God reconciled the world, by making peace through the blood of the cross” (Col. 1:18, 20). The sparkling, enormous, kingly, vision of the Cosmic Ruler is tempered by a reminder of how we treated Jesus. Powers and dominions did not bow to him during his mortal life. Every voice did not in concert ring. And yet this is the one we follow. This is the One we believe in. Can’t you hear the strains of “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” beginning to appear?
2 Upon the cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see
the very dying form of One who suffered there for me;
and from my stricken heart with tears
two wonders I confess:
the wonders of redeeming love and my unworthiness.
Paul’s vision of the Christ, King and Crucified, is not just a pretty picture to hang on a wall, or a theological argument to have in an ivory tower. It is meant to be sustenance—food for us. It is meant to be chewed on, and savored, and even reached for in times of trouble. I divine that from the way Paul starts this section of his letter, with a prayer for all of us. He says, “May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, [the Cosmic Christ], and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience [reminding us that Jesus endured even the cross and grave, before showing us God’s power in resurrection].” And along with strength and patient endurance, we are to have joy. Paul continues, “while joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light”(Col. 1:11-12).
Paul knows us well. He knows we gain strength of conviction knowing who is in charge. He knows we are called to work in an imperfect world, with no guarantees that it will all work out for the best in the short-run. But he knows we need to be joyful nonetheless. For we have been invited, we have been gifted, we have been enabled to share in God’s inheritance of love, of light, of life. And so, amidst our awe of Christ the King of the Universe, and our weariness of the world’s crucifixion of goodness, we are asked to sing. I think Paul would have approved of “Come Sing, O Church, in Joy!”—so let us raise our voices together with the first two verses.
1 Come sing, O church, in joy! Come join, O church, in song!
For Christ the Lord has led us through the ages long!
In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now
and praise the Lord!
2 Long years have come and gone,
and still God reigns supreme,
empowering us to catch the vision, dream the dream!
In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now
and praise the Lord!
Christ the King Sunday. Or the Reign of Christ Sunday. How amazing that next week we will be waiting for the advent of Christ, born into this world, in human form. How amazing that the One who was a part of creating the universe, who had the adoration of those in heaven and on earth alike, would be relegated to a backyard stable. How amazing that the One who is as the commentator of Seasons of the Spirit put it: “the image of God—the heart and the head, the genesis and the glue—everything that is God” would come to be with US. From on top of the universe to being born a baby. But as Paul put it, “in him all things hold together” (Col. 1:17). The end is the beginning. Alpha and Omega. A never-ending circle.
So as we transition from one year to the next, as we make our way in this world, May we hold onto Paul’s prayer for us,
--Strength that comes from Christ’s glorious power
--Patient endurance that we need to follow Christ’s example
--and a Joyful Thanksgiving for all the blessings we have been given
Halleluiah, Amen.
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