WordTruth

Creator, Sustainer, Reconciler, Redeemer

INTRODUCTION

One of the phrases that I find myself repeating over and over again is, “It’s not about me; it’s all about Jesus.” This is a concept that I need to keep in my head and my heart. A few years ago, I found the book, It’s Not About Me, by Max Lucado. The book’s title immediately caught my eye and, as I began to read it, the words captured my interest.

Lucado begins this book by reminding us of the fact that humans used to believe that the earth was the center of the universe until Nicolaus Copernicus began questioning the veracity of this claim. Copernicus argued, with little success, that the sun was the center of our solar system. If his claim was true that the earth was not the center of the solar system, then it certainly wasn’t the center of the universe. However, people refused to change their focus. They insisted that the earth was the stability of the universe. All other planets and cosmic bodies revolved around it. In the minds of the people of Copernicus’s day there was no way that it could be otherwise.

Of course, this way of thinking—the earth as center— seems ridiculous to us today. We know that Copernicus was indeed correct. The sun is the center of our solar system, and all of its planets, including Earth, revolve around it.

Lucado says, “What Copernicus did for the Earth, God does for our souls. Tapping the collective shoulders of humanity, he points to the Son—his Son—and says, ‘Behold the center of it all.’” Lucado goes on to say, “When God looks at the center of the universe, he doesn’t look at you. When heaven’s stagehands direct the spotlight towards the star of the show, I need no sunglasses. No light falls on me. …God does not exist to make a big deal out of us. We exist to make a big deal out of him. It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s all about him.”1 What a great statement!

When I read non-fiction books I write notes in the margins about what the paragraph says. I rarely underline. When I do underline, I can later easily identify concepts that I think are extremely important or review things that speak clearly to me. You can be sure that I underlined that paragraph. The words jumped off the page and hit me squarely in the heart with the truth.

Max Lucado isn’t the first person to write about these truths. He is just one in a long list of people who have expressed this same concept. In fact, we find that the idea that “it’s all about Jesus” is the very theme of the Bible and is the heart of the Gospel message.

The apostle Paul wrote about the same subject in his letter to the Colossian believers.

He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 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 and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 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).

Here is a list of what Paul says about Jesus in this passage:

• He is the image of the invisible God (v. 15). 
• He is the firstborn over all creation (v. 15).
• All things were created by Him and for Him (v. 16).
• He is before all things (v. 17).
• In Him all things hold together (v. 17).
• He is the head of the body, the church (v. 18).
• He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead (v. 18).
• God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him (v. 19).
• Through Him [God was pleased] to reconcile to Himself all things… by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross (v. 20).

This impressive list can be summarized by two big

picture ideas that show it’s not about you and me: First, it’s not about you and it’s not about me, because Christ is the creator and sustainer of life (verses 15-17). Secondly, it’s not about you and it’s not about me, because Christ is the redeemer and reconciler of humanity (verses 18-20).

JESUS CHRIST—CREATOR AND SUSTAINER

Paul tells us in Colossians 1:16 that all things were created by and for Jesus. If we were to look at the creation account in Genesis, we would see what Jesus created:

heavens and the earth, day and night, sky, land, vegetation, sun, moon, stars, sea creatures, birds, and land animals. Finally, He created humans.

Thus, Jesus created everything. How does this reflect the fact that it is all about Jesus?

Romans 1:20, tells us,

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

In this passage the apostle Paul tells us that one of the roles of creation is to reveal to humans the fact that God exists. By looking at creation, we are made to wonder how things came to be the way they are. For example, I love the beach on a moonlit night. I love staring at the moon’s reflection upon the water. I could sit for hours and watch the tide roll in and out. As I sit mesmerized by it all I wonder, “How did God come up with the idea of a moonlit beach? Sand, waves, the smell of the ocean… what was He thinking when He put it all together?”

That moonlit beach is doing its job. It’s pointing me to the Master. I can guarantee that I am not sitting there contemplating how amazing it is that through a cosmic accident nature came together. If
this is what I take away from
creation, then I have misread
creation, and creation becomes
all about you and me.

On the contrary, the Bible
states that creation reveals that God exists. Moreover, the Bible states that creation boisterously declares the glory of God.

The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech. Night after night they display knowledge. There is no language or speech where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out to the ends of the earth, their words to the ends of the world (Psalm 19:1-4).

According to the Psalmist, creation is neither mute nor silent. Creation speaks continually about one subject. Hear the intensity of the words, “Day after day, Night after night.” Picture the breadth of their reach “…no language or speech where they are not heard…voice to the ends of the earth…words to ends of the world.”

In essence creation is saying, “Are you amazed at my splendor and grandeur? Does my beauty captivate you? Thanks, but I’m only a reflection of the splendor and grandeur and beauty of the One who created me.”

Does the beauty of a sunrise or sunset take your breath away? That’s creation crying out, “If you think I’m something to behold, take a look at the Creator. His splendor, beauty, and grandeur far surpass mine. The Creator is glorious.”

Thus, the purpose of creation is to reflect the glory of God and to point us to the One by whom all things were created—the Creator, Jesus Christ.

JESUS—RECONCILER AND REDEEMER

The second way that apostle Paul tells us that it’s not about you and it’s not about me is by reminding us that Jesus is the redeemer and reconciler of humanity (Colossians 1:18-20).

In the Garden of Eden, man and woman existed in peace. There was plenty for them to eat and drink, and there was plenty to keep them busy. They had the run of the whole place. They could do whatever they wanted, except eat the fruit from one tree, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

We know how the story goes. The first man and woman ate the forbidden fruit and the world was changed forever. The knowledge of good and evil that seemed so promising in the Garden came at a price. Sin entered into the world, and death through sin. What a high price to

pay! Humanity has been in sin’s grip from that time forward. What’s more, we would have stayed there, hopeless and helpless, if not for God’s love. John 3:16-17 says:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Furthermore, Romans 5:6-8 says:

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

These passages make it clear that out of God the Father’s love for humanity, He sent Jesus to pay the great debt that we owed and were unable to pay. Jesus died on our behalf.

We turn salvation upon its head if we think that there was something good within us that compelled God to act on our behalf. We were powerless, and we were sinners. We had a desperate need that we could not satisfy by our own striving. We were in need of a Savior and Redeemer.

Thus, the purpose of creation is to reflect the glory of God and to point us to the One by whom all things were created—the Creator, Jesus Christ.

JESUS—RECONCILER AND REDEEMER

The second way that apostle Paul tells us that it’s not about you and it’s not about me is by reminding us that Jesus is the redeemer and reconciler of humanity (Colossians 1:18-20).

In the Garden of Eden, man and woman existed in peace. There was plenty for them to eat and drink, and there was plenty to keep them busy. They had the run of the whole place. They could do whatever they wanted, except eat the fruit from one tree, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

We know how the story goes. The first man and woman ate the forbidden fruit and the world was changed forever. The knowledge of good and evil that seemed so promising in the Garden came at a price. Sin entered into the world, and death through sin. What a high price to

pay! Humanity has been in sin’s grip from that time forward. What’s more, we would have stayed there, hopeless and helpless, if not for God’s love. John 3:16-17 says:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Furthermore, Romans 5:6-8 says:

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

These passages make it clear that out of God the Father’s love for humanity, He sent Jesus to pay the great debt that we owed and were unable to pay. Jesus died on our behalf.

We turn salvation upon its head if we think that there was something good within us that compelled God to act on our behalf. We were powerless, and we were sinners. We had a desperate need that we could not satisfy by our own striving. We were in need of a Savior and Redeemer.

If Christ didn’t come because we were so good, then what was the cause? It was the love that dwells within Christ that moved Him to rescue His creation. Jesus Christ came to earth, lived a sinless life, died a horrible death, and was raised from the dead. Through all of this, He secured our salvation by becoming the required spotless sacrificial lamb whose work of atonement the Father found acceptable. (Note: Jesus was spotless through His sinless life; He was the sacrificial lamb through His death on the cross; and proof that His work of atonement was found acceptable is shown through His resurrection from the dead.)

The apostle John recounts an amazing vision of a scene in heaven in Revelation 5:1-14. In this vision, God is seated on the throne and is holding in His hands a sealed scroll. John begins to weep because there is no one in heaven who is worthy to break the seals and reveal what is on the scroll. One of the elders tells John not to weep because there is One, and only One, Who is worthy of this honor. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. John looks around and sees the Lion in the form of a Lamb that had been slain. Jesus is the Lamb. He takes the scroll and then all heaven breaks out singing (Revelation 5:1-9).

Hear the words of their song:

“You are worthy to take the
scroll and to open its seals,
because you were slain, and
with your blood you purchased
men for God from every tribe
and language and people and
nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:9-10).

Notice that all of the focus is upon Jesus and what He did for humanity; the focus is not upon humanity.

The apostle John continues his description of the tumult that occurred when Jesus took the scroll. He says:

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:11-14)

One thing that should be clear to us is that our names were not even mentioned in all of this, neither was there the slightest reference made to us. Heaven’s song is not about those who have been redeemed. Instead, heaven’s song is about the Redeemer. The focus is upon Christ alone.

So where do we fit into all of this? If it’s not about you (and it isn’t) and if it’s not about me (and it isn’t) and if it all about Jesus (and it is), why are we here? Why do we exist?

Let me answer these questions by using another illustration from Max Lucado’s book. Lucado writes:

“G.R. Tweed looked across the Pacific waters at the American ship on the horizon. Brushing the jungle sweat from his eyes, the young naval officer swallowed deeply and made his decision. This could be his only chance for escape.

“Tweed had been hiding on Guam for nearly three years. When the Japanese occupied the island in 1941, he ducked into the thick tropical brush. Survival hadn’t been easy, but he preferred the swamp to a POW camp.

“Late in the day July 10, 1944, he spotted the friendly vessel. He scurried up a hill and positioned himself on a

cliff. Reaching into his pack, he pulled out a small mirror. At 6:20 P.M., he began sending signals. Holding the edge of the mirror in his fingers, he tilted it back and forth, bouncing the sunrays in the direction of the boat. Three

short flashes. Three long. Three short again. Dot-dot-dot. Dash-dash-dash. Dot-dot-dot. SOS.

“The signal caught the eye of a sailor on board the USS McCall. A rescue party boarded a motorized dinghy and slipped into the cove past the coastal guns. Tweed was rescued.”2

As you read that story, did you think, “What an amazing mirror that was!”? Or, “Boy, was Tweed ever lucky to have a mirror like that!” Did you wonder, “Where can I get a mirror that can save my life?” Of course not! You probably gave only a passing thought to the mirror. It isn’t the mirror that makes the story remarkable. It is the way in which the mirror was used.

The same is true for us. We are mirrors in the hands of God. Our purpose and our goal are to be used by God to reflect the Son—His Son.

We are God’s creation, therefore we should be loudly and boldly proclaiming God’s splendor and grandeur and beauty.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16:

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

The things that we do and say should point people to the reality of God. We say with our lives, “If you think what I have done is noteworthy, you should see the One who created me.”

In the same way, as mirrors in the hands of God, reflecting the Son, we are to reflect the Redeemer to those around us. In Matthew 28:18-20 we are told:

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy

Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The message that we share with those around us is that God has provided what we all desperately need—A Savior.

The fact that it is not about us is good news. Just think, if it is about us, then it is up to us to sustain creation and redeem people. Fortunately for us, since it is all about Christ, it is all up to Him as well. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things and He is the Redeemer of humanity. This truth frees us to be who we were created to be, Son reflectors. After all, IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS.

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REFERENCES

¹ Max Lucado, It’s Not About Me (Nashville: Integrity Publishers, 2004), 3-6. 
² Lucado, 81-82.

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It’s All About Jesus: Creator, Sustainer, Reconciler, Redeemer © 2008 WordTruth, Inc—http://www.wordtruth.net
Verses from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version © 2001Version by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers