JESUS CHRIST, the BEGINNING and the END

"And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely" (Rev 21:6). "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (Rev 22:13).

Devotion 14 of 20

EVERYTHING WAS MADE BY HIM--HE IS THE BEGINNING

Everything that is made had its genesis with Christ Jesus the Lord. The Word of God is clear on this point. "All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). Think of it! Not only were "all things" made by Christ, they are not to be considered or pondered apart from Him. If God did not make anything "without Him," we may not reflect upon those things without contemplating their Creator, Jesus Christ the Lord.

His thumb print is on the creation, because "all things were made by Him." The consistency of creation is not owing to any laws of nature. It is because of the One who sustains the elements, holding them together by the word of His power. He is the Origin, or Beginning, of "all things."

When Christ was born, the Creator occupied the creation--a staggering consideration! "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not" (John 1:10). The dulling effects of sin are seen in the reaction of sinners to the Savior. Here was "God manifest in the flesh" (1 Tim 3:16), and the world did not recognize Him. They could not conceive of "the Carpenter" being the Architect of the universe--but He was! Their obtuse hearts could not perceive of the Rabbi from their country as One through Whom all political power originated and was maintained--but He was!

Today, what men think about Jesus has nothing whatsoever to do with Who He is. What they think He can do has no bearing whatsoever upon what His ability. He is "the beginning," the Source and Sustainer of all things!

The extent of the creation is staggering. The Spirit provides a glimpse of the greatness of creation through Paul. "For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him. And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist (hold together, NIV)" (Col 1:16-17). Think of it! Things "that are in heaven!" "Invisible" things! "Thrones, and dominions . . . principalities . . . powers!"

Who dares to imagine the extent of that creation? It reaches beyond the tangible universe! It goes beyond the farthest star or galaxy! It involves a moral universe as well as a physical one! Wherever substance exists, evidence of the Creator exists! Where invisible things exist, evidence of the Creator exists. Wherever power and rule exist, evidence of the Creator exists! He is THE BEGINNING! In view of these things, those that limit themselves to "things that are seen" (2 Cor 4:17-18) are greatly hindered.

A church enamored of the seen cannot conceive of "invisible things" that include "thrones, and dominions . . . principalities . . . and powers." However these things do exist, and they do so by the creative power of our Savior. They were "made" by Him, and they will ultimately answer to Him!

God has spoken to us through the One Who brought our environment into existence. "God . . . hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds" (Heb 1:2). Here is an intriguing expression- "the worlds." The KJV, NKJV, ASV, NRSV, and Darby's translate the verse "the worlds." The NIV uses the word "universe." Young's literal translation uses the word "ages." The RSV translates the word "world."

The Greek words are a plural expression; i.e., "Worlds." It is difficult for me to believe the meaning of this verse is that "ages" were created, although even ages have their genesis and conclusion in Jesus. More is to be seen in this expression than academic juvenileness. The grand intent is to affirm that Jesus Christ presides over everything, and everything was made by Him. He is not presiding over things made by another, but over things made by Himself -which are all things!

The people of God must stretch their minds beyond their limited interests and life-span. Their Lord reigns over an extensive creation, and we must learn to think within that framework. Their purposes, prayers, and labors should reflect faith in a Christ that has preeminence in all things.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus I thank You for relieving us of the tedious task of discovering the origin of things. I also praise Your name that all things were made by your Sin, and are governed by Him.

-- Tomorrow: OF HIM, THROUGH HIM, AND TO HIM --