Seeing Christ Clearly: A Heart-Transforming Exposition of Colossians 1, Hebrews 1, John 1, and Philippians 2
"The more we behold Christ, the more our hearts are drawn into His glory—fixing our eyes on the One who holds all things together."
The Power of Seeing Jesus for Who He Truly Is
If someone were to ask, “Who is Jesus?” how would you answer? Many would describe Him as the Savior, the Son of God, the Good Shepherd, or the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. All of these are true, but Scripture provides even deeper, richer descriptions of Christ—portraits so captivating that when we truly see Him, our hearts are drawn into deeper love, trust, and worship.
We are not transformed by trying harder but by beholding Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). The more clearly we see Him, the more our affections align with His. That’s why passages like Colossians 1, Hebrews 1, John 1, and Philippians 2 are so essential. These chapters unveil Christ’s glory, His supremacy, His humility, and His eternal nature. By immersing ourselves in these truths, we are awakened to the reality that Christ is not just a historical figure, but the very foundation of our existence.
Let’s walk through each passage, drawing out their beauty and discovering the transformative power of beholding Christ in them.
Colossians 1:15-20 — The Supremacy of Christ
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness 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." (Colossians 1:15-20)
Christ Is Over All
This passage presents one of the clearest descriptions of Christ’s absolute supremacy:
He is the image of the invisible God—to see Christ is to see the Father (John 14:9).
All things were created by Him, through Him, and for Him—everything exists to display His glory.
In Him all things hold together—He is not distant from creation but actively sustaining every breath we take.
He is the head of the Church—not merely a teacher or leader, but the very life of His body.
He reconciles all things by His blood—the supremacy of Christ is not just in power but in His redeeming love.
Paul makes it abundantly clear that Jesus is not an accessory to creation; He is its source, sustainer, and purpose. Every throne, every dominion, and every authority is subordinate to Him. Everything in existence finds its meaning in Him. This is not a distant theological truth—it is the reality we live in every moment.
Hebrews 1:1-4 — Christ, the Radiance of God’s Glory
"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs." (Hebrews 1:1-4)
The Final Revelation of God
God spoke through prophets, but now He speaks through Christ—Jesus is the final, complete revelation of who God is.
Christ is the radiance of God’s glory—not just reflecting God’s glory, but being its very essence.
He upholds the universe by His word—not only did Christ create all things, He sustains them moment by moment.
After making purification for sins, He sat down—His work is finished, and His position at the right hand of God signifies absolute authority.
This passage strips away any illusion that Jesus is merely a teacher or prophet. He is not one voice among many; He is the final, complete Word of God. The One who speaks the Father’s heart, sustains creation with a word, and reigns supreme over all. His voice is not an opinion—it is reality itself.
John 1:1-5, 14 — Christ, the Eternal Word
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-5, 14)
Christ, the Eternal Word Made Flesh
Jesus has always existed—He was not created; He is eternal.
He is the Word—the full expression of God’s thoughts, heart, and will.
All things were made through Him—Jesus is not just our Savior but our Creator.
The Word became flesh—God did not remain distant but stepped into human experience to redeem us.
John declares Jesus as the eternal, self-existent Word of God—not a created being, but the very source of life itself. The profound truth that God became flesh means that He fully entered our reality, walked our roads, and bore our burdens. Christ is not just an idea to believe in—He is a Person to know intimately.
Philippians 2:5-11 — The Humility and Exaltation of Christ
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)
The Majesty of Christ’s Humility
Jesus humbled Himself by becoming human—not by losing His divinity, but by setting aside His rights.
He took the form of a servant—true greatness is not grasping power but giving it away.
God has highly exalted Him—because of His obedience, He is now declared as Lord over all.
The beauty of this passage is that Jesus did not cling to His divine privileges—He gave them up for us. The One who was enthroned in heaven chose to take on flesh, serve, and suffer. And because of His humility, He is now exalted above all creation. Every knee will bow—not because He demands it, but because His love compels it.
Conclusion: Beholding Christ Transforms Us
These passages unveil the breathtaking glory of Christ. He is not merely someone to study—He is Someone to see, to treasure, to worship. When we behold Him in Scripture, our hearts are stirred, our affections transformed, and our lives reoriented to the reality that He is all, and in Him, all things hold together.