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11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:11-20 NRSV)
I hear the voice of Sir Anthony Hopkins as I read the words of St. Paul, as Sir Hopkins played Paul in a movie of the 1980s called Peter and Paul. It was a great movie and if you ever run across it then you can enjoy a wonderful movie with the wonderful voice of this great actor. Do not remember him in the Silence of the Lambs! That'll ruin his wonderful voice in this powerful passage.
In this passage, Paul writes to readers needing encouragement. He begins with a prayer asking God's strength be made real to those reading or hearing the letter; and this precious power from God Himself, and on top of this a generous portion of patience to help them endure all things, as well as a dose of thankfulness. This because God has done all things that blessed them up to this point, and made them heirs along with the saints of light. God's rescue had been theirs out of the darkness of yesterday and into the Kingdom of Jesus today. Jesus is our Redeemer, who has forgiven us of our sins. Jesus is the image of the invisible God. In Jesus, all things in Heaven and earth were created. These things are visible and invisible, including thrones and dominions and rulers, and powers; all things were created through Jesus and for Him. Jesus is the firstborn of all creation, and the head of the Church. He is the beginning, risen from the dead, so that He might have come to have first place in all things. Jesus is King. He reconciled all things, in both places of heaven and earth; for His Blood has brought peace.
Jesus is a king we can believe in, for he puts us first before Himself. He values life and love, and shares both so that we can continue that legacy with all. Prepare Him room!
PRAYER: Loving God, thank You for Jesus our King. Make us loyal subjects and servants; ready to work for You in all things and all ways. This we pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Help others to make room in their hearts for King Jesus!
Blessings of Love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
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