And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (Colossians 1:18) The Pre-Eminence of Christ
(Read Philippians 1:1-11; Acts 2:22-36)
Why must Christ have the pre-emincence? Why must all things be put under his feet? Why should he have no rival? Christ must have the pre-eminence in all things, because God the Father said that he must (Ps.89:27). Why was Joseph made the prime minister of Egypt? Because Pharaoh wanted it that way. Why did Mordecai ride through the city in pomp and pageantry, while Haman led the horse? Because King Ahasureus said that he must. It is only right for Christ to be pre-eminent, simply because the sovereign God has so ordained it!
Christ was born unto the place of pre-eminence (Isa. 9:6-7). He is the Firstborn in the family of God. As such he has a right to the Father's inheritance. He is the only begotten of the Father. Therefore he has rightful possession of all the Father's property.
Christ must have the pre-eminence because he has paid for it (Isa. 53:9-12). Any man who buys and holds the title to an estate is lord of that estate. And Christ both bought and holds title to God's creation. Therefore, he is Lord of all.
Christ alone deserves the pre-eminence. He has earned the right of pre-eminence by his obedience to the Father's will, having fulfilled all that was required of him as the Surety of the covenant (John 17:1-4). And he has earned the right of pre-eminence in the hearts of his people (Ps. 116:12). Who else has loved us so freely? Who other than Christ has done so much for us? Who but Christ has given us so much? Who else but Christ has been a faithful Friend to our souls?
Let every redeemed, justified, forgiven sinner say, with God our Father, "Christ alone must have the pre-eminence!" As John Gill puts it, "Christ ought to have the pre-eminence and first place in the affections of our hearts, in the contemplations of our minds, in the desires of our souls, and in the highest praises of our lips." He who loved us, bought us with his blood and saved us by his grace has a rightful claim to pre-eminence in our hearts!
Grace for Today, Don Fortner,December 12.
