Author: Larry Grays

Have you ever tried to carry too many groceries in one trip? You’ve got milk in one hand, bread under your arm, and produce threatening to spill out of a bag balanced on your knee. As you wobble to the door, one tiny bag of grapes tumbles to the ground, starting a chain reaction. You think, If I could just grow an extra arm, I could hold it all together!  Thankfully, when it comes to life—not just groceries—there’s Someone who holds it all together perfectly. That Someone is Jesus.

Colossians 1:17 says, “He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” This verse paints a stunning picture of Jesus’ sustaining power. He didn’t just create the universe and step away; He remains actively involved in keeping it all in order. Jesus’ role as Sustainer applies to both the physical world and our personal lives. The same power that keeps planets in orbit and atoms from collapsing is at work in your everyday struggles. This truth echoes in Hebrews 1:3, which describes Jesus as “sustaining everything by the mighty power of his command.”

It’s easy to feel like you have to juggle everything on your own. Work, family, health, and faith can pull you in so many directions that it’s overwhelming. But Jesus invites you to rely on His sustaining power instead of your own strength. Start by surrendering your worries to Him in prayer. Be honest about the areas where you feel like things are slipping.

Reflection Questions:

1. What areas of your life feel like they are “falling apart,” and how can you trust Jesus to hold them together?
2. How does knowing that Jesus sustains the universe impact the way you approach your daily challenges?

Suggested Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for holding all things together. When my life feels chaotic, help me to trust in Your sustaining power. Remind me that I don’t have to carry everything on my own because You are in control. Strengthen my faith and teach me to rest in the truth of who You are. Amen.

A pastor once asked his congregation, “If Jesus walked in here right now, how would you respond?” Some said they’d fall on their knees. Others mentioned clapping or singing. But one young boy raised his hand and said, “I’d hug Him!” The room chuckled, but the pastor smiled and said, “That’s not far off—worship is about recognizing who Jesus is and loving Him with all you’ve got.” While we can show our love in many ways, worship begins with a deep acknowledgment of Jesus as God and our wholehearted surrender to Him.

Colossians 1:15–17 provides an awe-inspiring portrait of Jesus’ divine identity:
“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.” These verses confirm that Jesus is not merely a good teacher or moral example—He is God Himself. He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. His supremacy is evident in His authority over Creation, His role as head of the church, and His victory over sin and death.

When we grasp the reality of who Jesus is, the natural response is worship. Worship isn’t just singing on Sundays; it’s a lifestyle of surrender, recognizing His rightful place as first in everything. As you reflect on who He is, let it move you to a deeper surrender of your heart, plans, and desires.

Reflection Questions:

1. What does worshiping Jesus as God look like in your daily life?
2. Are there areas of your life where Jesus is not yet “first in everything”? How can you surrender them to Him?

Suggested Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are God, and You are worthy of all my worship. Help me to live a life that reflects Your greatness. I surrender my heart, my plans, and my fears to You. Teach me to worship not just with words but with my whole life. May You always be first in everything I do. Amen.

A man once fell into a deep pit and couldn’t climb out. A pessimist walked by and said, “You’re going to be stuck there forever.” An optimist came next and said, “Don’t worry, it’ll get better.” A religious scholar muttered, “You must have done something wrong to end up there.” Finally, a friend came along, jumped into the pit, and said, “I’m here to help you out.” Surprised, the man asked, “Why would you do that?” The friend replied, “Because I know the way out.”

This is exactly what Jesus has done for us. While others might observe from a distance, Jesus stepped into our brokenness to rescue us. Colossians 1:18 declares, “Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.” This verse highlights Jesus as the One who rescues sinners, giving new life and a new identity.

The phrase “supreme over all who rise from the dead” speaks to Jesus’ victory over sin and death. His resurrection not only proved His divinity but also made it possible for us to be rescued from sin’s grip. Through His sacrifice, Jesus brought reconciliation, offering us a way to be restored to God. Recognizing Jesus as our Rescuer means accepting His gift of salvation and allowing Him to transform us. It also means living in freedom—free from guilt, shame, and the power of sin.

Reflection Questions:

1. How has Jesus rescued you from sin or struggles in your life?
2. What steps can you take to trust Him more deeply in areas where you feel stuck?

Suggested Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for rescuing me from the power of sin and death. I am in awe of Your sacrifice and love. Help me to live in the freedom You’ve given me and to trust You more in the challenges I face. Use my life to point others to the hope and rescue that only You can provide. Amen.

A group of engineers at NASA once joked that designing a spacecraft was the ultimate puzzle. “Every piece has to fit perfectly,” one said, “or else things don’t hold together.” Another added, “And don’t forget, it’s all spinning through space!” Their laughter trailed off when someone muttered, “And yet we still can’t figure out how to make a sandwich taste good up there.” While the brilliance behind spacecraft design is awe-inspiring, the universe is far more intricate. And at its core is Jesus, the Creator who designed and sustains it all.

Colossians 1:15–17 gives us a breathtaking perspective on Jesus as Creator:
“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.”

Every star, every atom, and every unseen spiritual force owes its existence to Jesus. He didn’t just start the work of creation and step away—He continues to hold all things together. This truth is staggering: the same Jesus who walked on dusty roads in Galilee is the eternal Creator who spoke the cosmos into being. Jesus is also described as “supreme over all creation.” The phrase “through him and for him” reminds us that Jesus is both the source and the purpose of all existence.

Understanding Jesus as Creator reshapes how we see the world and our lives. It’s easy to feel like life is random, chaotic, or meaningless, but Jesus’ creative power reminds us that there’s a plan and purpose. He’s not just a distant Creator—He’s actively involved in sustaining everything, including you.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does knowing that Jesus created and sustains the universe impact your trust in Him?
2. What are some ways you can honor Jesus as Creator in your daily life?

Suggested Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for creating this incredible universe and for holding everything together by Your power. When life feels uncertain or overwhelming, remind me of Your control and care. Help me to see Your handiwork in creation and to live with awe and gratitude for who You are. Amen.

A little boy was drawing furiously with crayons when his teacher leaned over and asked, “What are you drawing?” Without looking up, he replied, “God.” The teacher smiled and said, “But no one knows what God looks like.” Without missing a beat, the boy shot back, “They will when I’m done!” While the boy’s confidence was endearing, he wasn’t alone in wanting to “see” God. Throughout history, humanity has longed to know what God is like. The good news? We don’t have to guess—Jesus reveals Him.

Colossians 1:15 tells us, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation.” Everything about God—His character, power, love, and holiness—is fully revealed in Jesus. When Philip asked Jesus to “show us the Father,” Jesus responded in John 14:9, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?”

Jesus isn’t just a representative of God; He is God. Colossians 1:19 affirms this truth: “For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ.” The same God who created the universe, called Abraham, and led Israel now stands before us in the person of Jesus. Through Him, we understand that God is not distant but present and relational.

The fact that Jesus reveals the Father means we can stop wondering about who God is and start embracing a relationship with Him. In your daily struggles, Jesus shows us the Father’s compassion. When you feel unworthy, Jesus reminds you of God’s forgiveness. And when you face uncertainty, Jesus points to God’s sovereignty.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does knowing that Jesus reveals the Father change the way you view God?
2. What step can you take this week to deepen your understanding of Jesus as the image of God?

Suggested Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing the Father to us. Through You, we see God’s love, power, and grace in action. Help me to draw closer to You so that I may know the Father more deeply. Let my life reflect Your goodness and truth to those around me. Amen.

Two young men came to New York City from the countryside for a visit. They stayed at the same boarding house and shared a room. When it was time for bed, each felt ashamed to be the first to kneel and pray in front of the other. So, they sat watching each other. At last, one of them mustered up a little courage, and with a burning blush, as if he were about to do something wrong or wicked, he sank to his knees to say his prayers. As soon as the second saw that, he also knelt. After they had said their prayers, each waited for the other to get up. When they finally did, one said to the other, “I’m really glad to see that you knelt; I was afraid of you.” “Well,” said the other, “I was afraid of you.” It turned out that both were Christians, yet they were afraid of each other. You might smile at that, but how many times have you done the same thing—maybe not in the exact same way, but in effect? (source unknown)

There is coming a day when we will all stand before God the Father. The good news is that, on that day, Jesus will claim and confess everyone as His who confessed Him publicly. The bad news is that those who deny Jesus Christ on earth will be denied by Jesus Christ before God in heaven. To deny Christ in this sense means refusing to recognize His claims over one’s life. It means refusing to openly follow Him. Jesus teaches us to examine our lives and ask: Am I confessing, or am I denying? Baptism is one of the first ways we publicly confess Christ before others.

Reflection

Mike said, “Baptism is my declaration that I’m no longer a ‘fan’ in the stands but a PLAYMAKER on the field for Jesus!” Is it clear to the people around you that you are on Jesus’ team? Have you demonstrated that through baptism? If not, what is holding you back?

Prayer/Praise

Thank Jesus for being willing to claim you as His when He stands before God the Father. Pray that God will give you the courage to never be ashamed of your relationship with Him.