First place in everything was the theme of our time in Colossians 1:15-20 almost two weeks ago. If scholars are correct, and this passage is indeed part of an ancient hymn of the early church, what a treat it would have been to hear this truth sung by that first generation of believers in Christ.

There is one sense, however, in which we have an advantage today when we sing these truths in our hymns and choruses. Unlike those first believers, we have the privilege of looking back to see how Christ has proven Himself to be first place in everything for over 2,000 years!

Time gives a greater appreciation for the momentum of redemptive history, and the trajectory of Christ’s work. It reminds me of another great Pauline letter in which the Apostle made a similar point.

In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul praised God and His spiritual blessings, divine predestining to adoption, and lavish grace towards chosen sinners through the shed blood of Jesus (Eph 1:3-8). These glorious realities were not given as simply an act of benevolence in the moment, though, but as a part of a much larger plan that God has now revealed to believers. As Paul writes:

“In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.” Eph 1:8b-10

If the phrase, “first place in everything” in Colossians emphasizes the supremacy of Christ in the purposes of God, then the phrase, “summing up of all things in Christ” in Ephesians emphasizes the place of Christ as the purpose of all things. He not only has the starring role, but He is also where all things lead to and will arrive at the end of the story. As Paul would say in Ephesians 1:21, Jesus is not only over all things “in this age but also in the one to come.”

Amen and amen. It’s all by Jesus and for Jesus. This is no surprise to us, and it is the theme of many of our songs and meditations as a church. Hold on a second, though. Paul finishes the chapter of Ephesians 1 with a thought that for me is quite surprising.

“And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” Eph 1:22-23

In making Christ first place in everything, the Father has subjected all things in heaven and on earth under Jesus. This relationship is unique, however, when it comes to the church. The church is not just a subject to Christ, it is His very body, and He is our head. Now, look at that last clause. The church is described not only as the body of Christ but as the fullness of the One who fills all in all.

What a fascinating truth to ponder. Just as we have received the fullness of Christ, so God has ordained that we are now part of the fullness of Him. We do not add to His divinity, nor do we contribute to His sacrifice for sin, nor are we somehow merged in essence with the Godhead. But we are the fullness of Christ. We are, by the will of God, through the grace of God, inextricably linked to Christ’s centrality in all things. In His reign over all things, we reign with Him. In His inheritance of all things, we are co-heirs. Of His everlasting joy, we are made partakers. There is no benefit enjoyed by our Head that does not bestow some benefit upon His body.

What a wonderful truth to meditate on that will not fail to foster our humility and bolster our gratitude.