“FOR IN HIM all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross” (Col. 1:19–20). This passage is bursting with meaning: “For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell.” Pleased to dwell? In most of us He dwells, but sufferingly dwells. We give Him much pain; He stays, but with many a pang. Here, however, was one place God was pleased to dwell—in Jesus. He was at home in Jesus. He was the perfect vehicle through which God could express Himself.
There is no record or hint that Jesus went from a once broken life through conversion into wholeness. All of us have to go through that—Jesus didn’t. He was natural in His relations with women, but there is no hint that He was battling with sex. He hesitated about the self urge, only to find the will of God for it. Once found, He never hesitated even to take it to the cross. All His virtues were balanced by opposite virtues, all held in a living blend. Perfect manhood and perfect Godhood flowered in Him.
Someone has said that “the attempt to impose divine qualities upon the framework of human nature has always resulted in a monstrosity—always, except in the case of Jesus.” Here the supernatural was natural. No wonder it is said that all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell in Him. “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). No wonder, for He was such a Son! After two thousand years we have not found it possible to add to or subtract from Him to make Him more perfect. When we attempt to make Him more perfect, we go away smiting our breasts and saying, “God have mercy on me a sinner.” As everything was reconciled in Jesus—material and spiritual, manly and womanly qualities, passive and aggressive—so Jesus becomes the center of reconciliation of things in heaven and things on earth. Everything and everyone is reconciled in Him.
Dear Son of God and Son of Man, by dwelling in Thee may I too become a center of reconciliation. May I absorb all differences, all conflicts within myself and through my suffering bring reconciliation. In Thy name. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: In Jesus “all the fullness of God”; in others, portions of God.
