LORD JESUS CHRIST PART 3 GOD'S SON - SON OF GOD.
CHRIST IS SUPERIOR.

Revelation 22:13 unveils the pre-eminence of our Lord, 'I Am the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Christ is to us what the entire alphabet is to our literacy. Without HIM we would be spiritually illiterate.
Colossians 1:17 has that extraordinary claim that 'By Him, that is Christ, all things consist or hold together.' Every cell has its nucleus, electrons and neutrons, which guide the function of that cell. Every galaxy maintains its perfect order under His divinely-ordered rule. So Christ 'glues together' His church, binding men and women of all callings and nationalities, working harmoniously for the glory of their King; His individual saints, preserving their integrity; his godly families are knit together in Him. Medically, only our superb Creator can make the body function perfectly: reproducing cells, replacing the worn-out ones; knitting spirit, soul and body in a glorious whole, called a person. Christ- our Preserver.
Hebrews 1:3 affirms 'HE upholds all things by the word of his power.'

ASCENDANCY OF THE LORD JESUS.

Philippians 2:5 reads, 'Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God thought it not robbery (or something to be grasped at) to be equal with God.' Then his virgin birth, lowly incarnation and Calvary followed, when ' He made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant and coming in the likeness of man, and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.' Our dear Lord descended from the highest glory to the most repulsive death.

Observe His predominance,' therefore, GOD has highly exalted HIM, and given HIM the name which is above every name, that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.' Moreover! 'Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.' Scripture reveals this high-ranking Person, without equal.

HIS CROWNING GLORY.

Colossians 1:18,' HE is the head of the body; the church, who is the beginning; the first-born from the dead, that in all things He may have the pre-eminence.' The head controls the five physical senses, sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. Our bodily head nervously controls our heart, lungs, abdominal activity, bowels and kidneys excretion, reproductive organs, speech, while the spinal cord mediates all bodily movements, strong and fine, and controls our balance. Our head coordinates the activity of our entire body. How much more should the church respond joyfully and spontaneously to the dictates of our HEAD, the risen Lord?

ALL THE FATHER'S FULLNESS IS IN CHRIST.

Paul wrote, 'It pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell in HIM. (1:19) God planned that which was not accidental; Abraham could not have filled this role; nor Joseph; nor Moses or Joshua; nor David or Solomon; nor one of the prophets. Only the SON could exude the fullness of the infinite Father. In the following chapter (2:9) is the astounding claim,' For in HIM dwells all the fullness of the Godhead ( Father, Son, Holy Spirit ) bodily, that is in His physical body which hung on the cross and was raised gloriously from the dead. We understand why satan challenged our Lord in HIS flesh; and why unscrupulous religious leaders, scribes and Pharisees, antagonised the Saviour. They had seen the glory of God and His holy life: and should have bowed at His feet, magnifying His holy Name.

The abundance of the Godhead resided in Him because, 'You are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.' Christ's all-encompassing fullness was consummated in us, because of His control of all dominion and authority.

The Colossian letter shows that 'Christ is all in all: where there is neither Greek (with his wisdom) nor Jew (proud of his Scriptures); neither circumcised or uncircumcised (trusting the arm of flesh); neither barbarian (using another inferior language,) Scythian (rude, Russian language), slave or free.' (3:11)
The Lord contrasts these many elements in humans and shows His magnificence.
HE is superior to sublime, human wisdom, above religious and fleshly observances, elevating nations or languages, all are subordinate to HIM.

God the Father joyfully released all things to HIS beloved Son, 'All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the SON, and he to whom the SON will reveal Him. (Matthew 11:27) I asked our son to look through my library, selecting books for his enrichment after I have gone to glory. I rejoice to see his signature, claiming some of my life-long treasures. The heavenly Father surrendered all to our beloved Lord Jesus. Ensure you know experientially the Father and the Son.

We should not be surprised at the following warm, invitation, 'Come unto Me all who labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I AM gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.' This comfort flows from the all-sufficient Son, so bountifully equipped and resourced by His heavenly Father. ` HE, alone, is your hiding-place.

John the Baptist, greatest of all living men, said, 'This was HE of whom I spoke, saying, He who comes after me is preferred before me, for HE was before me.' Then came this striking statement, 'And of HIS fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. '(John 1:15, 16) John showed the eternal nature of the Lord, who through eternity preceded him, being pre-eminent over him, despite John's high ranking. Then he showed how we have received of His riches; and been endued with saving grace and bolstered with continuing loving-kindness. Let's follow John's example in magnifying Him as the altogether-lovely One.