Jesus… ‘in the midst’ April 25, 2007
Posted by Chris Gnanakan in bible study.add a comment
The centrality of Christ’s person and work seems to be usurped in contemporary ‘Christian’ preaching and ministry by a variety of charismatic themes, social issues and humanitarian activities. Vital as these are, Paul writing to Christians at Colosse makes the definitive statement: ‘Christ is All and in All’ (3:11). Why must Jesus be first (before all things) and preeminent? This is because, as Paul notes (1:16-18), it is by Christ’s power, i.e. through him and for him that all things were created. All things are his possession and it is ‘in Christ’ and due to his providence that all things consist or hold together!
Jesus must be the centre and source of the Christian faith and life. The Good Friday and Easter events show Jesus dying ‘in the midst’ of two thieves, then manifesting himself ‘in the midst’ of his followers as their resurrected Lord. What was he doing amidst such people? Studying the significance of these occasions helps us understand the reality of Jesus’ oft-quoted promise: Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I ‘in the midst’ (Mat. 18:20). (more…)
