“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:15-16).
There are two powerful things in this passage that I hope you will key in on. First, it is that Jesus is the very image of God. That means that if you want to know what God is like, you only need to look to Jesus. What is an image? It is a likeness, an expression of the character of the one the image points to. Biblically, it is the image of God’s identity.
Notice the second thing, that all things were created through him and, “For him.” Creation was not made for us, even though God created a place where we could live. Primarily, creation was created for Jesus. He created it for him to enjoy. Have you ever considered this? Look what the scripture says about God enjoying his creation.
“They (Adam and Eve) heard the sound of the Lord God [Jesus] walking in the garden in the cool of the day” (Genesis 3:8). Why is this passage important? Because it shows Jesus enjoying what he created. We can surmise this by the phrase, “Cool of the day.” Who doesn’t love a cool breeze, or when temperatures begin to cool down a bit? Jesus, as a theophany, was enjoying what he had made.
The combination of these two ideas should bring us great comfort and deepen our love for Christ by applying them to our lives. Think of it, the very character, nature and identity of God created you so that he could enjoy you. God wants to enjoy you! When we come to him in faith, abandoning our sin, his grace covers us and he begins to enjoy us.
How great a God we serve who humbles himself to enjoy what he created. And most importantly, when we live a life pleasing to him it means that he is enjoying us as well. God wants to enjoy your life. Let me say that again. Perhaps you’ve never considered it: God wants to enjoy your life.
Memory Verse
“Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
Application
Do you think God enjoys your life right now? Why or why not? How can you live your life in such a way that God enjoys you? Just as you enjoy your children or grandchildren, or wife or husband, or friends, God wants to enjoy you.
