In the early days of the church, not unlike today, a spiritual battle was waging for the hearts, minds and loyalty of the followers of Jesus. While under house arrest in Rome, with only a few years to live, Paul wrote to a community of believers started by one his disciples, Epaphras, a convert at Ephesus. In the Letter of Paul to the Colossians,he reminds the saints and the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ (1:2) that in Christ are found all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (2:3). And to make his point, the Apostle wrote a poem in Greek, which in English is a soaring and elegant description of the Lord of the Church, Jesus Christ. We would do well over the next several months to keep this before us during our journey through one of the finest letters ever written! He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Colossians 1:15-20

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible andinvisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—allthings were created through him and for him. And he is before allthings, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of thebody, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullnessof God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himselfall things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the bloodof his cross.