In Colossians 1 Paul says:

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…he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (Colossians 1:19-22).

This passage declares the mystery, wonder, and perplexity of the message of Jesus. Paul moves from talking about the authority and creation work of Christ in verses 15-18, to take us here—the unique provision of Jesus Christ, whose death releases us from accusation, and whose blood acts as a signature on a peace treaty between God and man.

How can this be? The one who spoke the world into existence, who exists as the image of the invisible God, and is declared to have supremacy over everything has died for us.

Maybe that’s why the apostle Peter can so boldly make an equally exceptional statement, giving testimony to the power that allowed him to heal a crippled beggar,

. . . then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed . . . Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:10, 12).

What do these ideas do in your soul? How do you feel about the idea of a sovereign King and the powerful creator of the world shedding His blood to restore you as free and without blemish?