PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST

Jack Davis

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” Col. 1:18.

A most precious truth is before us in this text. Jesus Christ has always been the Father’s thought and theme. The Bible is all about Him. The eternal preeminence of our dear Lord over all except One, the Father Himself, flows through the Scripture. “He must reign” - I Cor. 15:24-28. When all things have been subdued unto the Son, then will Jesus Himself be subject unto the Father. The word translated preeminence has the thought of superior rank. Jesus stands first, occupies the foremost or chief place, for He alone of all humanity is supreme in everything and every respect.

Three words in this verse give special emphasis, expression or meaning to the thought of his preeminence.

“Head” is used metaphorically of Christ in relation to His authority and direction of redeemed humanity, the Church, and of the husband in relation to the wife. I Cor. 11:3. God has set Him far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. Eph. 1:21; 4:15 & 5:23.

“Beginning” speaks of Him that is denoted to be first as ruler, and origin. Not only the start of a new creation, but also in God’s purpose and provision, it’s ultimate consummation.

“Firstborn” seems to indicate our Lord’s superiority of position even more than His priority. 

It is evident that many that are attracted to the “Bridal” message, get focused on different aspects of this special company. It is good and important that the Bridal characteristics be recognized, and better yet realized. We do well to rejoice in those traits being developed by Him, of Him, in us. Praise God!

Let us not be unaware that the lofty place, the highest possible for redeemed glorified humanity is to be gained by laying low at our Redeemer’s feet. If any are going to reign with Him, we must be reigning now in life. Such reigning is only possible by allowing Him to reign in our life. Let us now honor Him as King on the throne of our heart.

Shall we get focused on bridehood, that may lead to pridehood, or rather on the bridegroom who will bring us into the throne room? Jesus Christ as bridegroom is offered as the Prize of the high calling. It is possible to miss winning Him, by getting more occupied with a prestigious place, a gloriously exalted position, than being centered on God’s preeminent Person, our dear Lord Jesus Christ.

As we view that most attractive couple correctly, He will always be Chief to her, and she is His choice. Song of Sol. 5:10 & 6:9. True Bridal saints would not have it any other way. 

Let no man beguile you of your reward (rob you of the Prize)…by “not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and not together, increaseth with the increase of God.” Col. 2:18-19. There are those forgetting to retain, failing to maintain the proper scripture relation with Him, not clinging to or practically apprehending Him. Does such as these continue to honor Christ as their personal Head?

Paul speaks of those there in verse eighteen as being “vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” We read that love vaunteth not itself. “For this I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits” Rom. 12:3,16.

Paul admonishes us to cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…II Cor. 10:5. He also admonished “Let this same mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” Phil. 2:5. He encourages us to think as Jesus thought, as our example of true humility. It is our privilege to have His attitude or disposition. Jesus didn’t cling to His prerogatives as God’s equal. No one else could leave such a lofty, glorious, exalted position, or give up such wealth, nor come to such poverty, as did our glorious Lord. Who else could descend to such depths to reach and deliver such depraved filthy vulgar polluted worms?

Our adversary did just the opposite. Ezekiel tells us that He set his heart as the heart of God, that his heart was lifted up. Read Eze. 28:1-17. He said in his heart, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.” He also said “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” Isa. 14:14.

When the serpent beguiled Eve, did he not appeal to her intellectual pride? He said, “Ye shall not surely die; for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as god’s, knowing good and evil” Gen. 3:4. Do we believe that she would have been wise to have referred Satan to her head, Adam? Should she not have taken direction from him? Well, Thank God! We may now eat of the tree of life, because our Head Jesus Christ has tasted death for every man.

I am often thrilled with the truth that comes to our hearts from scripture as Rom. 8:16-18; II Tim. 2:11-13; Rom. 12:1-5; Col. 3:10; Gal. 4:19; Eph. 4:13-15 and I Jn. 3:1-3. For being made like Jesus is a marvelous work. A special blessing may be enjoyed from Rom. 8:29 but does this tell us that the full overcomer will be Jesus’ equal in authority, honor, power and glory? Does this mean that Christ’s bride will be His equal, identical with no degree of difference? Individually, or corporately?

God has ordained that many sons be brought to glory. Jesus will have many brethren like Himself, yet distinct and distinguishable. These sons molded into his image will share inwardly His likeness, and radiate outwardly His glory, but the eternal purpose is also that He be the first-born among many brethren. Who but Jesus could fulfill better the eternal purpose in full measure, the true meaning of the firstborn, first begotten, firstfruits?

Who will cease to bow before God’s triumphant Son in that eternal state? Oh, there is going to be a wedding to top all weddings! But will submission to His entire preeminence cease after the wedding? What will those seated on thrones be doing as well as reigning? Will His bride ever cease to fall down and rejoice in His presence? I think not. What will the full overcomers do with their crowns? What will the “Bridegroom” do with His?

However high He may raise us, He will never stop being “Head” above His body or His bride. His uplifted body, all of it exalts the Head, even the neck. He shall never cease to be King of all those being kings and Lord of all those being lords.