King of the Hill - June 18 Readings: Colossians 1:1-2:3

Today's Reading

Context

Colossians was unique in several ways. Unless there are travels not mentioned in Acts, Paul never actually visited the city of Colossae. He spent a long time in nearby Ephesus and was the spiritual father of the church.

A heresy had arisen in the church - one which we know little about today. It was believed by many to be an early form of the later heresy of Gnosticism, but recent scholars have questioned that. All that we really know about the heresy we can discern from the correctives Paul gives. The heresy downgraded Christ, which is why Paul spends the entire book exalting him. It also was based on arcane philosophy and perhaps Jewish rituals and practices.

The core message of Colossians is that Christ is supreme over all, that Christ in us is our hope of glory (1:27)  and that we ought to live our lives in the light of the character and work of Christ. Chapter 1 establishes the glory and superiority of Christ, chapter 2 confronts the heresy that degraded Christ, and chapter 3 gives practical exhortations in the light of those teachings.

Devotional - King of the Hill

Did you ever play "King of the HIll" when you were a kid? We'd find a pile of dirt or rocks and one guy would stand on top, declaring himself the king. Everyone else would try to scramble and scrap their way to the top, throwing down anyone who stands in the way.

In this world, this giant hill of dirt, there is a king already established - seated firmly on the throne. There is no threat to that throne, no one who can dislodge him from his place. The one who is king of the hill today will be tomorrow and for all time.

His name is Jesus.

Colossians 1:15-20 describes the greatness and glory of Christ, exalting him as preeminent over all things on this earth - the king of this entire hill. And because he is the king, he is the one our lives are supposed to be about. He is our "hope of glory" (1:27).

Something had happened in Colossae and people had forgotten that. They were focused on other things - festivals, rituals, myths, arcane teachings. But they'd forgotten Jesus and that was a mistake that Paul did not want anyone to make, because everything was about him, the world exists for him, and he is the one who has done everything needed for our lives both eternally and temporally.

He is not only the king of the hill, he is the king of love, mercy and grace.

Father, thank you for your Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is supreme not only over the entire universe but also over my heart. 

Think and Pray

Read through Colossians 1:15-20 and write down all the character qualities and great works of Christ. Spend time in praise of the glory and greatness of our Savior.