Christ Holds It All Together

Christ Holds It All Together
By Don Vess

Scripture Focus:
“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation. For through Him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through Him and for Him. He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together.”
—Colossians 1:15-17 (NLT)

Reflection:

Jesus came to earth not only to be born as a man but to fulfill the will of His Father. He is the exact representation of the Father, as revealed in John 14:9 when Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.”

Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:5-7 that Jesus, though fully God, humbled Himself:
“Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.”
This profound humility is at the heart of Jesus’ mission: to save us from sin.

From the very beginning, Christ has been central to creation. In John 1:1-3, we read:
“In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him.”
Jesus was not a created being. His birth in Bethlehem was not the start of His existence but a manifestation of His eternal being. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 22:13).

Application:

As we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth, we must not only see Him as the baby in the manger but as the eternal Savior who “holds all creation together” (Colossians 1:17).

His example challenges us to live humbly and serve others. Philippians 2:5 calls us to have the same mindset as Christ. Just as Jesus emptied Himself of glory for our sake, we are to set aside pride and self-interest to serve others.

This attitude of service reflects God’s kingdom, which is not one of dominance but of sacrificial love. Jesus Himself said:
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
—Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

Challenge for Today:

Reflect on how Jesus’ humility and servanthood shape your life. How can you live with a heart of service toward others today? Consider practical ways to put others’ needs before your own, trusting that Christ will hold you together as you follow His example.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the visible image of Your invisible greatness, to show us Your love. Help me to reflect His humility and serve others with a willing heart. Teach me to seek Your kingdom above all else and trust You to hold my life together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Key Verse to Remember:
“He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together.”
—Colossians 1:17 (NLT)