The Kingdom Story
Contributed by Nancy Buschart

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created … all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. —Colossians 1:15-20

God’s Kingdom Story comes to us across the pages of scripture from Genesis to Revelation. These beautiful verses from Colossians distill the Kingdom Story for God’s people.

As described in our Easter morning text from John 14:1-7, Jesus told Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” In Colossians, Paul says that “[t]he Son is the image of the invisible God” for, in Christ dwells all God’s fullness, the complete and total God. If you’ve seen Jesus the Son, you’ve seen God the Father.

In Christ Jesus we see the Creator because “in him all things were created.” All things—heaven and earth, angels and seraphim, planets and stars, you and me. And as Creator, Christ continues to “hold together” all he has made.

In the life, death and resurrection of Jesus we see God’s response to the rebellion, sin, and death that broke fellowship between the Creator and his creation. All the creation groans under the weight of its bondage to decay including “we ourselves” who “groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for… the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:20-23).

In the crucified Christ, God has “reconciled to himself all things.” Because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross we may now, every day and without fear, “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Jesus made “peace through his blood, shed on the cross” In Christ, we are assured of God’s redemption.

In the risen and ascended Christ, the day is coming for the last chapter of God’s Kingdom Story. Imagine the first Garden when Adam and Eve walked in sweet fellowship with the Lord in the cool of the day. That garden will be restored… only better! When Christ returns, He will take us to be with Him. “God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:3-4). The culmination of God’s Kingdom Story brings restoration, and more, of the way it was in the beginning. Groaning and the waiting will be over. God will dwell with His people and His people will see Him face-to-face. There will be no need to pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” because God will reign in both heaven and earth. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Consider—

╬ We need the whole of God’s Kingdom Story to grow deeper in faith and trust. How does remembering the whole story increase your knowledge and understanding of who God is and what Christ has done?

╬ What part of God’s Kingdom Story brings you the most joy and hope? Is there a circumstance in your life where Christ Jesus is inviting you to approach the throne of grace?

╬ Father, Son and Spirit, we thank you for the whole Kingdom Story. When we look at our world from our limited perspective, it looks like chaos reigns. But You are God. Spirit, help us to live God’s Redemption Story as we follow Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.