He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross (Colossians 1:17-20).

JESUS IS EVERYTHING! I found myself nearly shouting this at the Sunday School kids. I realize I probably sounded a bit unhinged, but I felt a real compulsion, before we began the regularly scheduled lesson, to try to convey the Big Picture.

I don’t know about you, but when people say, “she couldn’t see the forest for the trees” I know just what they mean. It’s easy to get so bogged down in the minutia of tasks that we sometimes fail to convey the point – the Big Picture. We stuff plastic eggs with wrapped candy, count carefully, decorate, pull out palms, recruit volunteers, make and put up signs, post and eblast…but have we conveyed the Big Picture?

We spend every Sunday morning enthusiastically sharing fun Bible Story lessons with the kids, doing activities and crafts that reinforce them, but do the kids really see the Big Picture? We listen attentively to the Pastor’s message each week, singing the songs and praying the prayers, but are we fitting it all together like puzzle pieces into the Big Picture?

Life can be so busy with so much on the ‘to do’ list. And work and school take so much of our time. Hobbies, activities, social commitments…if we’re not careful, life can whiz by before we even realize it. Will we be so concerned about each tree that we miss the forest? Will we look back and realize we didn’t put enough value on the Big Picture?

Folks, society tells us to focus on money, happiness, politics, degrees, work, vacations, fitness, beauty, success, etc. These things help Madison Avenue sell soap, but they aren’t the answer to ‘life, the universe and everything.’ Oh yes, there IS an answer (and it isn’t 42*) – JESUS IS EVERYTHING! HE IS THE BIG PICTURE! He’s what it’s all about, Charlie Brown!

Check out the awesome verse from Colossians above. Go back and read it like a southern preacher! It deserves some Hallelujahs! Let’s break it down:

• He is before all things
  • Jesus is the A and the Z, the first and last, everlasting and uncreated!
• in him all things hold together
  • He holds the whole world in His hands. He keeps the universe turning and the natural laws enforced.
• he is the head of the body, the church;
  • Jesus is the Cornerstone, the firm foundation on which the church is built, and in the body of Christ, he is the head.
• he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead
  • He is the Resurrection and the life! The one who believes in Him will live, even though they die. And because He lives, we will one day live with Him eternally in glorious Heaven, back in the sinless Garden once again.
• so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
  • Jesus sits at the right hand of God, the Father. All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Him – even power to forgive sin.
• For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him
  • Jesus was fully man, but He is also fully God. Not a part of God, but in essence God. He is the physical manifestation of the will of God in the world.
• and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,
  • Sin broke the world – not just humanity, but the whole earth groans under the weight of generations of sin. One day there will be a new earth, a new heaven and a new you with a restored relationship with God.
• by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross
  • As the perfect lamb of God, Jesus’ blood sacrifice covers our sins and makes us holy. It allows us to enter the mysterious, sinless, glory of Heaven, and to come directly and boldly before the throne of God!

Can I get an AMEN?!

Hallelujah to the King of kings
Hallelujah to the Lamb
Hallelujah to the Lord of lords
Who is the great I AM

He is Lord of heaven, Lord of earth
He is Lord of all who live
He is Lord above the universe
All praise to Him we give
(We Will Glorify by Twila Paris)

Have a Blessed Resurrection Day,

Jen

*apologies to Douglas Adams’ Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy