| Our Lord Jesus is “the image of God,” being “the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person.” He is also “the firstborn” of all creation. The word “firstborn” means either first in time or first in importance. In our Lord’s case, of course, it means first in importance or rank. As far as time is concerned, “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” He could say that “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” But He is “the firstborn” in importance or rank. The highest place of honor in the universe belongs to Him, not only as the eternal Son of God, but also as the exalted Son of Man. God “raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” For “God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow … and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,” “that in all things He might have the preeminence.” |
