Colossians 1:19-20 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

When you think about it, it’s rather incredible that Paul would write something so poetic, and at the same time so theologically deep, in a letter to a group he didn’t know personally. He obviously had a high level of trust in the Holy Spirit, that He was working in the hearts and lives of this group of believers. That said, Paul wanted to be sure that the Colossian believers understood the purpose and efficacy of the ministry of Jesus. This is an important thing for us too to remember, right after we’ve been singing and thinking about Jesus as a little baby in a manger. Too many people would like to leave Him there! However, that little baby grew up, confounding the teachers in the temple at His bar mitzva, calling apostles to abandon their previous lifestyles and follow Him, healing the sick and raising the dead, calming a storm with a verbal command, going toe-to-toe with the Pharisees on what the Law of Moses actually means, and then willingly taking on the penalty for our sins in horrible suffering, and proving it was real by rising from the dead. We must not leave Him in the manger! We need to meditate on what Paul wrote here to the Colossians and let it work into us, correcting our traditions and our misconceptions and setting us free to enjoy the fulness of Christ’s work for us. Since Japanese does very little with pronouns, the translation I use repeatedly says “the Son,” which helps us remember that this isn’t just some random guy off the street. God’s plan of salvation was set from Creation, and we continually learn more of its magnificence.

I’ve long had a warm spot in my heart for this passage, since the Lord gave me a calypso-feel musical setting for verses 15-20 (skipping a few things along the way) in 1978. However, knowing the words and even singing them isn’t necessarily the same as letting them sink in to control our thoughts and actions. This doesn’t seem like a very “directive” passage, but the more I make it part of me, the less I will be shaken by all the little things that happen in life. Physically, I’m very grateful to say that I seem to clearly be “over the hump” of the influenza I’m had the past several days. That has been a reminder that I can’t do anything on my own, but am totally dependent on my Creator and Lord. I’m not quite 100% yet, but the difference is enough to make me very happy. I told my wife this morning that her dishwasher was back in working order! There are various things to be done today in preparation for the service tomorrow, and it’s very nice not to dread them from a physical standpoint. I have long loved John 16:33, and I am indeed learning to take heart in the middle of this world’s troubles, because Jesus is Lord!

Father, thank You for Your overflowing grace to me. Help me not draw back from anything, but know that in Christ You will take me through, until I stand before You in glory. Thank You. Praise God!