Jesus Christ, the Firstborn
In scripture the word firstborn appears 117 times. Those occurrences are spread between exactly 100 verses. The New Testament contains 7 occurrences. The number 7 represents perfection and completion. Jesus perfectly and completely fulfills his role as the firstborn.
Being the firstborn today has lost its allure, but in Bible times it was a blessing to be the firstborn. A blessing that came with great responsibility. The firstborn (son) had a position of authority and received a far greater inheritance than his siblings. This was based on a belief that the firstborn was a unique representative of the father.
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”
Matthew 1:23-25 KJV
It does not get anymore more “firstborn” than your mother never having been known.
Romans 8:29 - Jesus is the firstborn among many brethren
There is a theme in scripture of firstborns squandering their birthright. Esau gave his birthright to Jacob. Israel, God’s firstborn, rejected Messiah sending their blessing to the gentiles.
“And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:”
Exodus 4:22 KJV
The term firstborn can deal with priority as well. Israel was highly prioritized by God for a lengthy season.
Unlike Esau and Israel whose fall led to their inheritance going elsewhere, it is because of Jesus being raised that the children that come after him receive an inheritance.
“and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”
1 Corinthians 15:17 KJV
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”
Colossians 1:15 KJV
Jesus is the firstborn of every creature because of his dominion and authority over creation. After the fall, dominion was transferred to the devil. Jesus did not refute Satan after he said that all the kingdoms of the world had been delivered to him.
“And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.”
Luke 4:5-6 KJV
“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
Hebrews 2:9 KJV
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
1 Timothy 2:5-6 KJV
“and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”
Colossians 1:20 KJV
Jesus could have bent the knee and not been crucified. Instead, he made a payment in full for what had been offered for free.
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
1 Corinthians 6:20 KJV
“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
Colossians 1:18 KJV
Jesus was categorically the first to receive a glorified body after resurrecting from the dead. Jesus’ preeminence refers to his authority and his highest rank. Christians often have a degraded view of Jesus, setting him beneath “the God of the Old Testament”. Jesus is more than the photo of the pretty white guy with flowing brown hair beside the bathrooms. He is God in the flesh.
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”
Colossians 1:15 KJV
“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”
Colossians 2:9 KJV
“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
1 John 5:7 KJV
“Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”
John 14:9 KJV
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1, 14 KJV
Jesus is the firstborn literally and figuratively. He has authority, dominion, and supremacy over all things. He gave himself a ransom for all. He paid in full for what was offered for free. The inheritance that rightfully belongs to him is offered to all of mankind as a free gift. Why would anyone turn down a free gift?
“Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”
Romans 5:18 KJV
God bless,
The Collins Family
Thank you so much sir for sharing such a powerful, Spirit led message on Jesus as the Firstborn both literally and spiritually The depth of Scripture you presented reminds us of the authority, supremacy, and sacrificial love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
This is more than a teaching it is a proclamation of the Gospel, rich in truth and deeply edifying The way you connected Jesus title as Firstborn with His divine nature sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection is profound.
Sir As the Word says He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature Colossians 1:15 And again But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept 1 Corinthians 15:20
Dear brother Here in India we are hungry for sound doctrine and the clear preaching of God's Word sir There are many who have never heard these deep truths about Jesus sir Your teachings are needed urgently in this land.
People are seeking truth and we believe God will use preachers and teachers like you to help bring light to dark places How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14
We humbly request please teach us and preach us through online messages or visits sir The harvest is great here.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature Mark 16:15
Thank you again for standing firm in the Word and boldly proclaiming Jesus Christ Sir May the Lord continue to bless your family and ministry abundantly We are praying for you and look forward to hearing more of your teachings.
God bless you richly In Christ’s love From Raju sambattula in India sir 🇮🇳
Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ Ephesians 1:2