20 God’s power was at work in Christ when God raised him from the dead and sat him at God’s right side in the heavens, 21 far above every ruler and authority and power and angelic power, any power that might be named not only now but in the future. 22 God put everything under Christ’s feet and made him head of everything in the church, 23 which is his body. His body, the church, is the fullness of Christ, who fills everything in every way.
Reflection
At the end of a beach there stands a rock jetty that used to have some words about Jesus chiseled around the granite boulders in the middle of the pier. For a long time, the carved words were not always easy to find. However, because the message was along a favored path of mine, I would often walk there, looking for what seemed like my personal message about my Savior. I would go there, walking out along the rocks, finding these words carefully written within the stones:
Jesus is the Rock. Jesus is the Way!
The words were sometimes hard to see amongst the uneven steps of the large boulders. But because I walked along that path so many times, I knew about where the words were encrypted, often by steps instead of by sight.
And then, “they” –the community planners– repaved that jetty. Yep, they just put another layer of concrete and stone right over what I felt was my personal message. And this is progress? So much for my Jesus Rock, I thought.
Yet Jesus Christ is still the head of the Church, just as surely as God raised him up for that purpose nearly two thousand years ago. Today we speak of our Lord, Jesus Christ, not only as the Head of the Church, but also, the Church as his Living Body. It is up to us to be “his Body, the Church” and to live into that “full body.” Down through the ages, throughout all the changes to the earth and all the lives within it, Jesus’ power remains. The reminders are not just chiseled into rocks, seen and unseen.
When I visit the jetty now, I can no longer see that carved reminder of Jesus’ words, but He and I both know that they’re there! God knows the words are carved down deep and through the hearts and minds of believers everywhere.
by Barbara Carlson
For Pondering & Prayer
What reminders have you found about Jesus’ strength and power? How does your witnessing share God’s love in Jesus’ name to others? As the world and your life changes, how do you keep Jesus’ message “chiseled” in your heart and mind?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, may I know your strength and power by living out your words and ways. Help me to be open to hearing your voice. Help me to live authentically by sharing your love and commitment to all those in need. Amen.
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