Majestic and Mighty

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 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. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. – Colossians 1:15-17 (NRSV)

Over a cup of coffee after worship, a visitor asked in a loud voice, “Excuse me, but did I hear you refer to Jesus as a friend?” It was true I had done this. “I could never go to a church that talks like that,” she explained as she set down her coffee cup and left. “Jesus is not my friend. He’s my salvation.”

I rely heavily on the Jesus who was a good friend, even to those who had no other friends. Remember that time he called Zacchaeus out of a tree and took him home to dinner? Jesus has called to me when I’m up a tree too. Remember how he took the hand of his friend Lazarus and pulled him out of the shadows, and into the light of community and care? He’s done that for me too.

But I think sometimes I rely too heavily on my cozy friend Jesus. Today is Reign of Christ Sunday. Today we remember that Christ Jesus is not just our Friend, he is our Salvation. Today, I will offer a prayer not to the Jesus who is my pal, but the Jesus whom “all things hold together.”

Prayer
Christ Jesus: You are bigger, grander and more majestic and mighty than we can imagine. We worship you. Amen.