“He is the image of the invisible God,
Colossians 1:15-16 (NIV84)
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.”
Who is the “He” described in these verses?
He is our Lord Jesus Christ (Col. 1:3) [Day 32],
the Son God loves (Col. 1:13) [Day 58].
Who Testified of Jesus’ Identity?
In Col. 1:15-20, Paul is testifying about Jesus’ identity. Before Paul knew Christ, and before He called upon His disciples to be witnesses, Jesus told of four other witnesses.
“I (Jesus Christ) have testimony weightier than that of John [the Baptizer]. For the works that the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent Me.
John 5:36-40 (NIV)
37And the Father who sent Me has Himself testified concerning Me. You have never heard His voice nor seen His form, 38nor does His word dwell in you, for you do not believe the One He sent.
39You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me, 40yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.”
Jesus was answering the Jews who were persecuting Him because He had healed on the Sabbath and was “calling God His own Father” (John 5:16-19).
He names four witnesses who have testified about His identity:
- John the Baptist (v.36)
- Miraculous Works (v.36)
- God the Father (v.37)
- The Scriptures (v.39)
Jesus had not shown up on earth with no warning and had not stepped into ministry without witnesses. Just because the Jews were acting as if it were true did not make it true! Jesus had many witnesses!
But notice the most pertinent words of Jesus in this passage for our study of the invisible God today:
“You have never heard His voice nor seen His form…” (John 5:37).
How can we know a God we have not seen or heard?
How can we see the invisible?
The Visible Was Not Made by the Visible
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.”
Hebrews 11:1-3 (ESV)
In John 5:37-38 (quoted earlier), Jesus also connected faith and sight: “You have never heard His voice nor seen His form, nor does His word dwell in you, for you do not believe the One He sent.” Unbelieving hearts cannot perceive the invisible God.
Moses believed in the invisible God.
“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”
Hebrews 11:24-27 (ESV)
Here in the Hebrews “Hall of Faith,” we are told that Moses, by faith, chose the invisible over the visible, and that is how he was able to endure. Moses’ faith even makes him bold enough to ask God to show him His glory!
Moses asked to see God’s invisible glory.
“17And the Lord said to Moses, ‘This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name.’
Exodus 33:17-23 (ESV)
18Moses said, ‘Please show me Your glory.’
19And He said, ‘I will make all My goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you My name “The Lord.” And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20‘But,’ He said, ‘you cannot see My face, for man shall not see Me and live.” 21And the Lord said, ‘Behold, there is a place by Me where you shall stand on the rock, 22and while My glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.”
God makes it clear:
- You cannot see My face.
- If man sees God, he will die.
This truth even applied to Moses whom God had just said had found favor in His sight. God has to shield Moses from the fullness of His glory and goodness while He passes by.
The prophet Elijah witnessed the invisible Lord pass by.
“And the word of the Lord came to him: ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’
10He replied, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and put Your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.’
11The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?'”
I Kings 19:9-13 (NIV)
God’s gentleness does not negate His holiness, power, or glory! He is perfectly holy, all-powerful, glorious and gentle at once.
- Elijah witnessed the Lord’s gentle strength.
- Moses saw the back of the Lord’s goodness & glory.
- But in Mark 9, we see these same two men stand face-to-face with God.
Face-to-Face with the God-man
“2And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, 3and His clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.
Mark 9:2-8 (ESV)
4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
5And Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ 6For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.
7And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.’ 8And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.”
- Peter, James, & John were wowed by Jesus’ radiant, intensely white clothing.
- They were shocked by the appearance of Elijah and Moses before them.
- But they still didn’t get that “Jesus only” is all they would ever need.
If You’ve Seen Jesus…
In the following excerpt from John 14, Jesus explains His connection to the Father to disciples who still don’t get Who He is.
“Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where You are going, so how can we know the way?’
6Jesus answered, ‘I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7If you really know Me, you will know My Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.’
8Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’
9Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know Me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”?
John 14:5-11 (NIV)
10Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me? The words I say to you I do not speak on My own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in Me, who is doing His work.
11Believe Me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.”
If you know Jesus, you know God the Father.
If you’ve seen Jesus, you’ve seen God the Father.
Invisible But Seen
God is invisible, but He can be seen in His
- creation,
- Word, &
- Son
if you simply believe.
“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
I Timothy 1:17 (ESV)
DAY 61 PRAYER
My prayer for you:
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe” (Ephesians 1:17-19, NIV).
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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