The Ordinance of Firstborn (5): A Different Kind of Firstborn

The Ordinance of Firstborn (5): A Different Kind of Firstborn

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. – Colossians 1:15

In continuation of our meditation on the ordinance of firstborn, today our focus shall be on Jesus, who was also a firstborn to His early parents. Although there are interesting sides to His firstborn status.

Jesus can be described as an outlier of a firstborn, as He was firstborn in multiple capacities. Firstly, He was the firstborn of God. Secondly, He was the firstborn in heaven. Thirdly, He was the firstborn among all creations (Colossians 1:15). Fourth, He was the firstborn of his earthly parents, Joseph and Mary. Fifth, He was the firstborn among the dead (Colossians 1:18, Revelation 1:5). Six, He is the firstborn among the brethren (Romans 8:29, Hebrews 12:23), and lastly, He is the firstborn among the risen (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Those are multiple firstborn statuses rolled into one person. There may also be a couple that the writer of the devotional is not aware of. And, yes, the above passage may sound mysterious and far-fetched to an average reader. It takes a level of spiritual insight and understanding to be able to digest the rather complex firstborn nature of Jesus Christ accurately.

But, there are copious biblical references that caption Jesus in those firstborn roles. Hopefully, some of the passages below would help us to understand this better:

Romans 8:29

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Colossians 1:18

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Hebrews 1:6

But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”

Hebrews 12:23

to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Revelation 1:5

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

In the context of our series on the fate suffered by firstborns, some of which we had considered in the previous diets of this series, Jesus too obviously suffered a great deal on earth, even with His privileged roles as a firstborn. Please read Isaiah 53 and the gospels for some of the account of His sufferings.

However, unlike the other firstborns we had considered before, Jesus’ own suffering was predestined and premeditated. He went through all He did for Him to accomplish a grand purpose and fulfill a divine agenda on the earth.

Thankfully, He was successful in His mission and that is the reason innumerable people across the ages could find answers, hope, success, fulfilment, and much more through faith in Him.

To be continued…

You Will Succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

• The Ordinance of Firstborn (4): The Firstborns that Thrived!
• Men in the Bible: The Man with the Longest Walk with God
• Handling Life’s Storms
• Once Addicted to the World, now Addicted to the Word!

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