Moments to Ponder
Pondering is a lost practice today.
The idea that we might actually take a few moments to think deeply about anything seems indulgent in our busy, full schedules. Yet, our souls crave rest and space to breathe, process our lives, choices, and walk with Jesus. I invite you to join me fora few moments to take in Scripture and take away a few thoughts to ponder throughout your day.
Moments to Ponder
Episode 153: The Gospel Between the Lines (Col. 1:15-23)
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Poetry reveals what's between the lines, and the poetic verses in Colossians 1 help us remember the wonder of God, pointing us toward the supremacy and centrality of Jesus as the divine portrait of the invisible God.
• Jesus is the "divine portrait" (eikon) of the invisible God, countering Gnostic teachings
• Christ created all things, holds all things together, and reconnects us to God
• Through Jesus, God sees believers as "holy, flawless, and restored"
• Our identity in Christ isn't just about forgiveness but a complete change of status
• The supremacy of Christ means he bridges our old life and new life in him
• Every broken piece of the universe finds proper place and harmony through Christ
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https://betsymarvin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/colossians-companion-guide-without-transcripts.pdf
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Hi friends, I'm Betsy and welcome to Moments to Ponder. This podcast is designed to help you spend a few moments in God's Word and take away something to ponder. It's my prayer that you will find encouragement as we spend time together today. This is Episode 153. Spend time together today. This is episode 153.
Speaker 1:I taught sixth grade for years and part of the sixth grade English curriculum was a unit on poetry. I have to say that first year I wasn't looking forward to it. I'm honestly not a big reader of poetry. I mean, I like it, but outside of the Psalms I don't really read much of it. But as my class went from reading poetry to writing it, I was amazed. These 11 and 12-year-old students wrote with such insight and feeling. It became an outlet they didn't know they needed. I learned so much about my students that I moved the unit to the fall in the years to come so that I could learn more about them sooner.
Speaker 1:Poetry is a wonder. That way it's words chosen with purpose, whether in rhyme or not, to share what is actually between the lines. Many scholars believe that the verses in Colossians 1, starting at verse 15, were sung as worship. It's poetry, as most songs are. It's amazing how many lyrics we remember, isn't it? Somehow, when words are put to music, our memories hold on to them, like the ABC song or State Capitals, and theology works the same way when put to music, it becomes a hymn that helps our memories remember the wonder of God. For the Colossians, paul's words put to music pointed them towards something he wanted them to remember that if they were to grow in increasing wisdom, power, patience and gratitude, then, above all else, they needed to know the supremacy and centrality of Jesus. The more they knew Jesus, the more they would understand God and what he'd done for them and what it meant to live for him. So, as we begin, verse 15, hear the poetry and listen for what's between the lines.
Speaker 1:Jesus is the divine portrait, the true likeness of the invisible God and the firstborn heir of all creation. For through the Son, everything was created, both in the heavenly realm and on the earth, all that is seen and all that is unseen, all that is seen and all that is unseen, every seat of power, realm of government, principality and authority. It was all created through him and for his purpose. He existed before anything was made, and now everything finds its completion in him. He is the head of his body, which is the church, and since he is the beginning and the firstborn heir in resurrection, he is the most exalted one holding first place in everything. One holding first place in everything For God is satisfied to have all his fullness dwelling in Christ and by the blood of his cross, everything in heaven and earth is brought back to himself, back to its original intent, restored to innocence. Again, it's all about Jesus.
Speaker 1:In episode 152, I spoke of the Gnostics and the influence they were having within the Colossian church. They brought confusion to the truth of Christ, as Gnostics denied the deity of Jesus, meaning that Jesus is God. Paul wants to make perfectly clear that Jesus is God. He begins with. Jesus is the divine portrait, the true likeness of the invisible God. The book of John tells us that the Word became flesh and he dwelt among us and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Hebrews says he is the brightness of His glory, the express image of Himself. By knowing more of Jesus, we know more of God, because he is the true likeness of the invisible God.
Speaker 1:Now, the word in verse 15 here is icon, meaning manifestation, image, likeness. Probably why there's an icon camera. It's an image. He is the image of God alone In every seat of power, realm of government, principality and authority. It was all created through him and for his purpose.
Speaker 1:Not only is Jesus God, paul reminds us that Jesus holds all things together, meaning Jesus is the glue that holds the old and the new. He holds the Old Testament and the New Testament together, he is the bridge between our old life and the new life. He gives us, he holds us together. In fact, he says that it's through him and for him that creation was made in the first place and through him it was redeemed. Jesus is the head, and by his blood everything was brought back to himself, back to its original intent Verse 23.
Speaker 1:Even though you were once distant from him, living in the shadows of your evil thoughts and actions, he reconnected you back to himself. He released his supernatural peace to you through the sacrifice of his own body as the sin payment on your behalf, so that you would dwell in his presence. And now there is nothing between you and Father God, for he sees you as holy, flawless and restored, if indeed you continue to advance in faith, assured of a firm foundation to grow upon. Never be shaken from the hope of the gospel you have believed in, and this is the glorious news I preach all over the world. Yes, we were distant, living in sin, but through the sacrifice of Christ's body, the sin payment was made so that we can dwell with him. When God looks at you, he sees one that follows him. He sees Jesus in you, the one that covered your sin, covers your sin.
Speaker 1:Listen to that again, from verse 22. Seeking his forgiveness and grace, it restores our connection with the one who made us, and this brings supernatural peace. How do those words resonate with you? What feelings stir within you as you hear the words flawless, holy, restored, holy, restored. The difference between a believer in Jesus and someone that is not isn't merely forgiveness. It's a complete change of status. As a believer in Christ, we are a new creation, a citizen of heaven restored. To ponder on this further, I encourage you to read Romans 5, 1 through 11. Dear one, let that sink into your heart. You are enough in him. Holy, flawless, restored. This is truth, a firm foundation.
Speaker 1:As we close today, let's take another look at the poem at the beginning of our section. This time we'll listen to it from the Message. We look at this sun and we see God who cannot be seen. We look at this sun and we see god who cannot be seen. We look at this sun and we see god's original purpose in everything he created for everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels. Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together like a head does a body.
Speaker 1:He was supreme in the beginning and leading the resurrection parade. He is supreme in the end, From beginning to end. He's there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so expansive that everything of God finds its proper place in Him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe, people and things, animals and and atoms get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured out from the cross. This is truth. May you never be shaken from this hope through the gospel, may you live as he sees you, with unshakable hope and confidence of his presence within you. Amen, amen. If you enjoyed the podcast today, I encourage you to subscribe or follow and continue with us as we go on our journey through Colossians. And a little reminder there is a companion guide that you can find at BetsyMarvincom under resources or you can find it in the show notes. I would love to give you a chance to just explore this chapter in more detail. Thanks for joining me.