By Pastor Ryan Stockstrom

Harvest Church

Every so often, a book of the Bible feels like it was written directly into the headlines of our time. Paul’s letter to the Colossians is one of those. Penned from a Roman prison cell around A.D. 62, this letter overflows with hope through difficult times.  Imagine that—words written in chains that still set people free today.

The Colossians were not in Rome, nor in Ephesus, the great city by the sea. They lived in a small, inland town. Yet God saw fit to inspire Paul to write them a letter that would echo across centuries. That alone should remind us: God loves doing big things in small places (like Frazee!)

Colossae’s church likely began when a man named Epaphras traveled to Ephesus, heard the gospel, believed, and returned home to share it with his friends and family. One spark became a flame. It’s a story that has repeated through history: one person hears the good news of Jesus Christ, takes it home, and an entire community is changed.

Paul’s central message to these believers was simple but sweeping: Jesus is supreme. Not just another spiritual figure. Not one more voice among many. Not even the highest angel or greatest prophet. He is above it all.

That’s not just an abstract claim. Paul ties it to everyday life. If Jesus is supreme, then it changes everything—or it should. Our families, our decisions, our priorities, our hopes—all are transformed when we surrender to Him.

The Colossians lived in a culture fascinated with spiritual powers. Archaeologists have even found magical amulets from that era invoking angelic names for protection.
One read “Michael, Gabriel, Ouriel, Raphael, protect the one who wears this…Flee O hated one, Solomon pursues you.” People wanted security, blessing, and power. They looked to intermediaries, convinced that the path to God was too complicated to walk directly.

Paul’s response was clear: Christ is not one among many. He is the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He alone reconciles us to God.

Our world is not so different. We may not wear amulets, but how often do people place their hope in celebrities, politics, money, or vague spirituality instead of in Christ? We hedge our bets, praying to Jesus “and” something else—success, luck, positive vibes. But Paul’s words remind us: Jesus is enough.

Chris Tomlin, a well known Christian music artist, performed the song Holy Forever during Charlie Kirk’s memorial.  As worship filled the auditorium, and he sang the line “all powers and positions—(your Name stands above them all),” he later shared that he had to step back in awe. Sitting in front of him were some of the most powerful people in America.  And yet, in that moment, every power and every position was being proclaimed as under submission the name of Jesus.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if our government and institutions lived like that every day? Not theocracy, not politics disguised as religion, but genuine humility before the King of Kings. As Paul reminds us, “all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Thrones, rulers, authorities—visible and invisible—exist under His rule.

The Colossians needed to hear that. So do we.

There’s a theological word Paul’s letter invites us to wrestle with: concurrence. It means that God works through the very events of our world—even the ones shaped by human choice, even the ones dripping with evil.