Colossians 1:18-25 "He is the head of the body, the church"

"He is the head of the body, the church."

Colossians 1:18-25, 

When people meet a good teacher, they learn and are influenced continuously. Sometimes, it happens over many years, and sometimes, even a short encounter can have that effect.

In the spring of 1558, on his way to his in-laws' house in Gangneung, Yi  Yi (Yi Yulgok) stopped in Andong, Gyeongbuk, and met the scholar, Yi Hwang. At that time, Yi Hwang was 58 years old, and Yi Yulgok was 23. During their two days together, Yi Yulgok deeply admired Yi Hwang. He was influenced by Yi Hwang's integrity and profound knowledge, and Yi Hwang encouraged him to become a valuable contributor to the country. Although it was a brief encounter, it had a lasting impact on Yi Yulgok's life.

In the Bible, Jesus Christ's twelve disciples spent more than three years learning and living with the Lord. Among them, Peter is a prominent figure. When Jesus asked, "Who do you say I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." This shows that he knew his teacher well.

In today's reading from Colossians 1:18-25, the Apostle Paul also met Jesus Christ. Where did they meet?

Paul encountered the Spirit of the Lord on his way to Damascus and heard the voice of Jesus Christ asking, "Why are you persecuting me?" Saul was startled and realized that his life had been under the control of Christ all along. From that moment, he began a completely different life, transitioning from persecuting Jesus' followers to proudly bearing the cross. He also confessed, "I bear on my body the marks of Jesus" (Galatians 6:14-15). Today, among the saints, some continue to live as people of the Lord, praying and reading His word throughout their lives, while others are transformed into saints through a single encounter.

As you read Colossians today, I hope it's a time for you to review and reflect on the Jesus you've met and believe in. So, who is the Jesus Christ you believe in?

Personally, I attended theological school and frequently read John Wesley's diary and the Book of Romans. Particularly, the message about the power of the gospel in Romans 1:16-17 was a source of grace for me. Rev. John Wesley's writings about spiritual transformation and repentance were also influential, especially in the introduction to Romans, where he talks about faith and transformation.

Every time I read those books, I was deeply moved and would pray and confess, "Lord, grant us such a precious miracle." Occasionally, I visited other large churches around Apgujeong in Gangnam, and one thing that impressed me was the cross tower of one of those churches. Every time I visited that church, I would gaze at the cross-shaped tower with an arrow that looked like a flower coming down from above to the ground. The church's information explained its meaning: the gospel of Jesus Christ has come down to this world and blossomed. When I think about it, that strong image is etched in my heart. When I contemplate the verse, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16), and think it over again and again, I came to understand and believe in the grace and power of the cross.

Look at Colossians 1:18 once again: "He is the head of the body, the church." This church began because of the grace and love of Jesus Christ, and it became a community of faith where believers gather. For this church, the Lord went ahead and worked alongside the people who gathered here.

Look at verses 20 and 22 as well: "20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. 20 And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him.“

It means that the mission continues. The times may change, time may pass, and the appearance of the church may change, but our community of faith continues, and the mission of the Lord continues in the lives of the saints, and it will continue in the future. This is because, as stated in verse 28, "It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ." The work of the Holy Spirit for this purpose continues, and Jesus wants to work with us for this mission. Now, let us follow the Lord, who is the head of the church, with strong faith. Let us move forward with the steps of the mission.