Deeper Reflection
There are many things we do not know about what the end of history will look like. But we do get some sneak previews in our Scripture passages today. Verses 15 to 23 provide us a compelling end-to-end summary of the grand Biblical narrative. At least two things are worth pointing out.First, the emphasis is on “all creation”. Jesus is the firstborn over “all creation” (v.15). He created “all things”. “All things” were created through Him and for Him. He is before “all things”. In Him, “all things” hold together. It only makes sense, therefore, that God would reconcile “all things” through Jesus Christ. This is the vast cosmic expanse of redemption, the vast cosmic efficacy of Jesus’ blood shed on the cross (v.20). Paul would even go on to say that the Gospel has been proclaimed to “all creation” under heaven (v.23; the same Greek words for “all creation” as those used in v.15).Second, God’s mission is “reconciliation”. Paul begins with the cosmic reconciliation of all things (vv.19-20), then moves to the reconciliation of human beings who have faith in Christ (vv.21-23). All belong to God (recall Monday’s devotional), and therefore all are to be reconciled by God through the death of Christ (vv.20 and 22)³ .Being reconciled to God, we have a task reclaimed from the original mandates in Genesis 1-2. We, like Paul, become servants of this Good News. We willingly join in Christ’s afflictions (v.24) to present the Word of God in its fullness (v.25). Our goal? To present everyone fully mature in Christ (v.28). Now, that, is a final destiny worth pursuing.

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³ Note the phrases, “by the blood of His cross” (v.20) and “in His body of flesh by His death” (v.22).