Colossians 1:19-20
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things, whether here on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Fullness. Reconciliation. Peace. These three words represent so much of what it means to be a born-again follower of Jesus Christ…as well as representing who Jesus is, in and of himself. There are so many passages of Scripture that contain what Paul refers to as “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph 3:8), and today’s section is certainly a great example of that. The Greek word translated “unsearchable” describes something that cannot be fully comprehended or explored. In other words, there is no limit to the riches of Christ; they are past finding out. Try as we might, we can never plumb the depths of Christ’s worth…but every attempt leaves us more mature and blessed.
Fullness (pleroma) means a full measure, abundance, completion or what fills. Pleroma describes a full measure or abundance with emphasis upon completeness without any gap or deficit. The idea of pleroma is a sum total or the totality of something. William Barclay wrote that, “Jesus is not simply a sketch of God or a summary and more than a lifeless portrait of Him. In Him there is nothing left out; He is the full revelation of God, and nothing more is necessary.” Paul affirms that all the divine powers reside in Christ…and it is this Christ who knows you, loves you, died for you, and walks with you every moment of every day!
Reconciliation is intensive in the original language (apakatallasso) and is not just simply “reconcile” but to reconcile fully! It means to exchange hostility for friendship. It pictures the total, complete, and full restoration of the relationship of disturbed peace…a disturbance that has terrible and eternal consequences. This reconciliation is not like two kids on the playground who get in a fight and are then forced to say “I’m sorry” to each other and shake hands. This reconciliation transforms you from enmity to love. From eternally damned to eternally privileged…co-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17)!
Peace in this passage is not just the absence of strife. It describes the situation where two things come together and there is nothing in between anymore to cause friction. There is no longer a barrier between the two. Peace means to set at one again or join together that which is separated. In secular Greek, eirene described the cessation or absence of war, and the only power great enough to end the spiritual war between you and your Creator was and is the blood of Jesus Christ. Octavius Winslow wrote a beautiful devotional on this passage and I would like to finish today by sharing a small portion that I know will bless you:
“Never was there before—nor has there been since—nor ever will be again—such ancient, marvelous, stupendous love as the love of Jesus. It is the astonishment of heaven, it is the wonder of angels, and, in their best, holiest, and most self-abased moments, it is the marvel of saints on earth, and will be, through eternity, their study and their praise. His condescending stoop to our nature—His descent from heaven’s glory to earth’s lowliness—His bearing our sins—His endurance of our curse—His suffering our penalty—His exhaustion of our bitter cup—His resurrection from the grave, and His ascent into heaven, are facts which speak, louder and sweeter than an angel’s trumpet, the love of Christ to His church.”
