Jacob Haywood

(2nd entry from Grace Park Family Devotional Guide)

Colossians 1:15-20

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Devotional
It is interesting to think about how Jesus did ministry while He was on earth. Jesus is God. He is Emmanuel, God with us (Matt. 1:23). He existed before all of creation. In fact, “All things were created by Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16). So, when the time came for Him (the Creator) to come as a man to live a perfect life and die a sacrificial death for man then spread the Good News of that incredible love to the whole world…it is interesting to see how He did it.

He could have done it all by Himself. He did in fact create everything. He could have done it all alone. But, He didn’t. First, He was born into a family. He had a mother, father, brothers and sisters. He grew up with them and had a relationship with them. He grew up in community.

Then, when it was time to start His ministry, He gathered together a group of twelve scraggly dudes to teach and do ministry with. From the beginning of His ministry, He did it in community.

When it came time for Jesus to die as a sacrifice for you and for me, several of His followers and His mother were right there. Luke 23:49 says, “Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching these things.” He died in community.

When Jesus rose from the dead, defeating your sin and your death, a group of His followers went to visit His tomb, and Jesus appeared to many people and His disciples, and He talked with them and ate with them and read the Bible to them (Luke 24). He resurrected in community.

When the time came for Jesus to return to Heaven, He gathered with His eleven disciples and told them that all authority has been given to them and that they are to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation (Mark 16:15). Then, right in front of their eyes, He was taken up into Heaven. He ascended in community.

Jesus’ entire life on earth involved community. Why should ours be any different? We need each other.

Questions
– Who are your best friends? Why?
– Can you accomplish more things alone or with other people? Why?
– Why do you think Jesus did His whole ministry and life in community?
– How can you follow the example of Jesus and be a part of community?

Blessing
I am so glad that you are a part of my life. I am blessed by God that He allowed me to have you in my life.