Colossians: Holding the Head (2:19-23)

““Holding the Head” is the conclusion of Paul’s discourse. Recall how Paul comes to this conclusion. In chapter 1, he displays the all sufficiency of this rich Christ. In chapter 2:9 he says Christ displayed all these riches as the fullness of God when he was on earth bodily. 2:10 states we have received all of this fullness. 2:11-13 describes how we have received this fullness, through faith in the operation of God. That operation is the cross, the burial, and the resurrection. 2:14-15 provides us with the assurance that God at the cross dealt with all the guilt and condemnation, and he removed any authority that says otherwise. This is our eternal warranty that nothing can ever change what his Son did on the cross. This means Christ is our life and he is in us eternally and nothing can prevent us from enjoying his fullness. In between all of these verses Paul mentions the kind of things that try and keep us from enjoying this fullness. This is why he puts the little word “not” in front of “holding the Head “ (2:19). This little word “not” is saying, “You’ve got the fullness in you, through the operation of Almighty God at the cross and He has provided His eternal Warranty that it all is true, and yet you are living by something other than the fullness!?” That is NOT holding the Head! So the obvious response should be “Hold The Head!” Everything else is a shadow, the food, the drink, the Sabbath, the Jewish celebrations, etc. (16-17). They all pointed to Christ, but He came. He’s now installed in you as your life, as the fullness, the Head (10), you are complete in him. Hold the head! He is the reality of all those things. Or some say, “don’t handle that, touch that, or taste that” (21). They attempt, even with good intentions, and even Bible-based principles to govern your Christian life. These things have no value in dealing or curbing the indulgences of your flesh (22-23). Hold the Head! You’ve got the one who did it all, conquered it all, and perfectly pleased the Heavenly Father now living in you as the Head. You are complete in him, and he in you! This is why Paul says that these other things will rob you of your prize, which is Christ (18). To the lay hold of this prize is to lay hold of this Reality which is to lay hold of the Head. Saints, there is no other way to live the Christian life. Christ, as your H ead is in you sending constant signals regarding every aspect of your daily life. This is the rich supply that the Head gives you. And this rich supply is not simply for you as an individual, No! These impulses are a supply intended so as to knit us together with all the saints, nourishing one another, that the church might grow with the growth of God. Living by this revelation produces the church. Just consider, when you come in to physical contact with other saints, who have been living by this Head supply, there is a spiritual knitting together. We can’t just talk about the weather or how are you doing? I’m good, etc. We’ve been living by the Head! This living, holding the head, gushes out and into all of our conversation and worship. This is the growth of God. Paul will reveal this more in the next two chapters. For now let us enjoy the revelation that the Head is actually in you. And then let us seize hold of our head, Jesus, as we live by the constant supply of his impulses in every aspect of our living. Amen.