In the next New Testament Letter, Paul encourages the church in Colossae to withstand the cultural pressures of living in a world filled with visible rulers (like corrupt religious leaders) and invisible powers (like deceptive spiritual beings). Paul asserts that the church can withstand these pressures because it has been rescued to live in a new world, God’s new creation.
His premise rests on the assurance that it is Jesus who rules this new creation by bringing God’s invisible world to our tangible world. He rules with forgiveness, honour, and generosity. He welcomes every human, no matter their ethnicity, social standing, age, or gender. And he never uses fear, coercion, or exploitation to establish his authority on Earth. Best of all, Jesus’ new creation does not end in death.
In Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting of The Last Supper, our Lord’s hands are empty. And therein lies an inspiring story.
Da Vinci dedicated three years to this painting, determined that it would be his crowning work. Before the unveiling, he decided to show it to a friend for whose opinion he had the utmost respect.
The friend’s praise was unbounded. “The cup in Jesus’ hand,” he said, “is especially beautiful.” Disappointed at once Da Vinci began to paint out the cup. Astonished, the distinguished friend asked for an explanation. “Nothing,” Da Vinci explained, “must distract from the figure of Christ.”
Da Vinci focused attention solely on Christ by removing the distraction of the cup. Having removed the cup, he had to do something with the hand. The left hand was already outstretched just above the table, lifting, as if to bless and command. Now the right hand, also empty, was also outstretched invitingly.
In Colossians 1:18 Paul writes, “He is the Head of the body made up of his people—that is, his Church—which he began; and he is the Leader of all those who arise from the dead, so that he is first in everything.”
Jesus promises that those who trust in him survive the grave through resurrection with him. When we believe this, we no longer need to fight to win or survive—we can truly love others instead. Living this way with Jesus allows his new creation to become a visible and experienced reality on Earth as it is in Heaven, even in the midst of life’s daily pressures and suffering.
O Christ, your cross speaks both to us and to our world.
In your dying for us
You accepted the pain and hurt of the whole of creation.
The arms of your cross stretch out
Across the broken world in reconciliation.
You have made peace with us.
Helps us to make peace with you
By sharing in your reconciling work.
May we recognise your spirit
Disturbing and challenging us to care for creation
And for the poor who most feel the effects of its abuse.
O Christ, the whole of creation groans.
Set us free and make us whole. Amen.
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