Who was the Creator of All Things?

(Colossians 1:15-16)

Often as Christians we stop for a moment to consider who is God, the Creator of the universe and all that is in it. If we don’t, then we should.

And it is a worthwhile exercise because even though we may never understand the depths of God, He is will to tell us much about Himself and the work He has done and is doing.

Consider these words in Colossians 1 verses 15 and 16 and you will see that there is an awful lot we can learn about God in these words alone.

Image of the invisible God

Just spend a moment reading and considering these words from the scripture.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; 16 for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities–all things were created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:15-16)

The first thing we see here is that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Who is the invisible God?

We are told elsewhere that Jesus is in the image of the Father and that He and the Father are one. So it becomes evident who the invisible God must be.

Clearly the invisible God is the Father who has never been seen by man.

But we also know that God the Father loves His people and part of Him showing His love is that in Jesus He has shown us Himself. Jesus is in the image of the Father, the invisible God, and yet He has not remained hidden for in Jesus we see Him.

What Jesus did and said are exactly what the Father would do and say. Their actions, thoughts and attitudes are so aligned that when we see Jesus, we see God the Father also. They are not the same being, but are so alike in their love and attitudes towards mankind that one cannot be distinguished from the other. This became evident in the words Jesus spoke to His disciples, particularly Philip.

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. (John 14:6-10)

Philip said “Show us the Father.” In this we see again that the Father is and was the invisible God. But, Jesus stated clearly that if they saw Jesus, they had seen the Father because they are one.

The Father is greater than the Son

Now I mentioned that even though they are one, they are not the same. The Father and the Son are two separate and distinct entities and Gods, but they are so alike that if you see one you might as well have seen both. And the Father is the greater of the two as Jesus Himself stated for He was subject to the Father.

28 You heard me say to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. (John 14:28)

And;

27 “For God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “All things are put in subjection under him,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things under him, that God may be everything to every one. (1 Corinthians 15:27-28)

So it is evident that God the Father is greater than the Son by His own admission and the information we are given in the Bible.

The first-born of all Creation

Then going back to the verse in Colossians chapter 1 we see that it speaks of Jesus as being the first-born of all Creation. And so He is.

In these words we see that as Jesus is the first-born, it is evident that the Father preceded Him and thus is the greater once again.

The very beginning of Creation started with the Son. Everything else came after that.

And as we read on it is important to understand the significance of Jesus as the first-born in all Creation. It is why He is both the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

Creator of All Things

In the final verse we see that everything that was created, whether in heaven or on earth, whether thrones, principalities, powers and authorities, were created by Him and through Him.

So what this verse is telling us is that it was Jesus who was the Creator of all things. Furthermore, all of the things that were created were FOR Him as well. It is His creation and thus it is His kingdom as well.

This is further made evident in the words at the beginning of John’s gospel.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God; 3 all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. (John 1:1-3)

And;

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John 1:14)

All things were made through and by the Word, who became flesh and blood in the form of Jesus Christ.

We see the evidence of the work of the Word in Genesis chapter 1 where the Creation is described, and every part began with a word going out to enact the Creation (e.g. “Let there be light.”)

So the Creator of heaven and earth was the Word who was Jesus. But He created only what He was instructed by the Father. So the best way I can think to define this relationship in the Creation is that God the Father was the architect of the Creation, but Jesus Christ as the Word was the builder or creator of all things.

I am hoping this adds some clarity to understanding this very minuscule but important aspect of who God is.

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