In the process of greeting the Colossians, Paul writes, “we always thank God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you” (1:3). Jesus is referred to as the Son of God the Father, thus putting his person and the context of the Trinity. With the high Christology that we find in the book of Colossians, we must keep in perspective that Jesus Christ, God the Son, is one of the members of the triune God. This explains several of the other references to Christ such as Colossians 1:19: “In [Jesus] the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” In Jesus Christ, the Triune God is seen. Jesus not only shows us who he is as God the Son, but also who the Father and Holy Spirit are. Colossians 2:9 also shows Jesus in Trinitarian perspective when Paul tells us that “in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.” All of the fullness of God is found in Christ. All the Father's nature is in him (what Paul calls the pleroma of Godhead, Col. 2:9). Consequently, he is equal with God; which is why, in turn, he is a unique revelation of God, unlike any other. We, as humans, may bear the image of God, but our portrayal is nothing in comparison to the complete picture that Jesus' person and work paint for us. [1]
[1] Donald MacLeod the person of Christ (Intervarsity Press, 1998) p.74
2 comments:
John McKendricks
said...
Pastor Harvey, This is a very good piece, well written. I appreciated your high Christology. One question came to mind and since most people read but refrain from commenting and as a blogger myself, I thought I would push the envelope.
Considering your perspective regarding Jesus' function of revealing both the Father and the Spirit; how does John 16:12-15 inform that view?
Would one function of the Spirit be to reveal Jesus?
Yes I would agree and affirm that this is the main work of the Spirit to reveal and glorify the person and work of Christ. This would be the goal of regeneration which is a work of the Spirit. Thoughts?
2 comments:
Pastor Harvey, This is a very good piece, well written. I appreciated your high Christology. One question came to mind and since most people read but refrain from commenting and as a blogger myself, I thought I would push the envelope.
Considering your perspective regarding Jesus' function of revealing both the Father and the Spirit; how does John 16:12-15 inform that view?
Would one function of the Spirit be to reveal Jesus?
John McKendricks
Yes I would agree and affirm that this is the main work of the Spirit to reveal and glorify the person and work of Christ. This would be the goal of regeneration which is a work of the Spirit. Thoughts?
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