In the world of football, certain athletes earn the title of MVP—Most Valuable Player—because of their remarkable talent and impact on the game. In 2000, Marshall Faulk of the St. Louis Rams earned that honor by rushing for over 1,300 yards, scoring 18 touchdowns, and adding 830 receiving yards. He was called the heart of “The Greatest Show on Turf,” a player who seemed to do it all. As impressive as those stats are, there is an MVP whose greatness eclipses any record on the field. Of course, I am speaking of Jesus Christ. In the game of life, there’s only one true MVP above all, and Colossians 1:15-20 presents Him as the Creator, sustainer, and reconciler of all things.
Paul begins by declaring Jesus as “the image of the invisible God” (v. 15). In the Greco-Roman world, the term used here for “image” meant a perfect representation, like a coin bearing the likeness of a king. However, the term’s fuller meaning implies manifestation. In other words, Jesus doesn’t merely reflect God; He is God in human form. This truth confronted the “Colossian heresy,” a false teaching influenced by Gnosticism that denied the full humanity of Christ because it rejected the idea that the divine could inhabit the material. The same error appears today in the belief that all roads lead to God, diminishing Christ’s unique role. But Paul makes it clear: Jesus is both fully God and fully human. If He were only human, He would be irrelevant to our understanding of God; if only God, He would be disconnected from human experience. You cannot have Christian principles without Christ, and, therefore, the validity of Christian principles depends on Christ and His authority. Think of a quarterback like Tom Brady, whose seven Super Bowl rings make him a legend; even so, his legacy fades with time. Christ’s victory is eternal, unmatched, and untouchable. As A.W. Tozer put it, “In Christ, we see God’s face, not a mirror dimly, but in radiant clarity.”
Paul then describes Christ as the Creator and sustainer of all things (vv. 16-17). Everything in heaven and on earth, whether visible or invisible, from galaxies to governments, was created by Him and for Him. Nothing exists apart from His will, and everything is held together by His power (Hebrews 1:3). Picture a football field where every blade of grass, every goalpost, and every player’s ability comes from one source. That’s Jesus, He designed the game of life and ensures it continues. He’s not simply an MVP on the field; He built the stadium, wrote the rulebook, and keeps the lights on. When we live for Him, we align with the Creator’s original purpose, finding meaning in His design.
Finally, Paul presents Christ as the head of the church and the reconciler of all things (vv. 18-20). The church exists because of Christ, depends on Him continually, and is energized by His life and power. To call Him the “head” means more than just giving Him top rank. It means that every part of the body draws its life and unity from Him. Apart from His life, death, and resurrection, the universe has no meaning. Through His blood, He brings peace between God and humanity, reversing the damage of sin. The greatest comeback in NFL history may be the Minnesota Vikings overcoming a 33-point deficit in 2022, but Christ’s victory over sin and death is infinitely greater. His resurrection launched a new creation, and all who are united to Him share in that life. The cross is the scoreboard of eternity, where Christ’s victory is final and forever.
In Colossians 1:15-20, Paul shows us that Jesus is not just the MVP of our personal lives but the champion of all creation. He is the image of God, the architect and sustainer of the universe, and the One who reconciles all things through His cross. In 2015, Russell Wilson, quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, faced a crushing moment in Super Bowl XLIX. With seconds remaining, his interception at the goal line cost his team the championship. Afterward, Wilson said, “God is good all the time… I’m grateful for the opportunity to play this game.” Even in defeat, Wilson pointed to a greater purpose. That’s what it means to live for the MVP above all—Jesus Christ. We can live with hope and purpose even in defeat because our lives are anchored in His supremacy. Whether we’re winning or losing on life’s field, we can commit to making Him the center of our game plan, living for the One who created us, sustains us, and redeemed us. The ultimate victory is His, and when we follow Him, we share in it forever. Soli Dio Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!