Before writing my Sunday devotionals I always look up the Lectionary Bible readings for that day, even if I don’t use them. They are the set passages for use in the Church of England, and they usually have a common theme.

For the Second Sunday before Lent the readings are Proverbs 8:1-4 & 22–31, Psalm 104:26-37, Colossians 1:15–20, and John 1.1–14. You may like to read these passages in your Bible or by clicking the links to read them on Bible Gateway in the New International Version (UK). For this devotional I’m focussing on the last two readings.

Colossians 1:15-20 begins by stating that Jesus is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn over all creation. This means that Jesus is the exact representation of God and has authority over all things. Jesus created all things, both in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, powers, rulers, or authorities. This means that Jesus is not only the creator of all things, but also has authority over all things.

Jesus is then described as the head of the church, which is his body, meaning that Jesus has authority over the church and is the source of its life. Through Jesus, God has reconciled all things to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through Jesus’ blood shed on the cross. Jesus’ death on the cross was how God made peace with humanity and reconciled all things to himself.

John 1:1-14 (deliberately echoing the beginning of Bible) describes Jesus as the Word, who was with God, and was God from the very beginning. This Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. Jesus, who was previously divine and eternal, became a human being and lived among us, revealing the glory of God to humankind.

Let’s reflect on Jesus: The Word of God, the creator of all things, the source of life and light for humankind, and the one who became flesh and dwelt among us to reveal the glory of God. Or, as The Message paraphrase puts it, the Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood.