RS 2 Lessons 1

Lesson 1: JESUS, THE FIRSTBORN OF ALL CREATION
Learning Targets:
At the end of the lesson, the student can;
Doctrine: Describe the truth about Jesus as the first born of all creation.
Morals: Demonstrate practical ways relating faith in Jesus Christ and care of
creation
Worship: Make a prayer articulating your hope in finding Jesus in the different
aspect of caring all God’s creation
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING THE “FIRSTBORN”
A firstborn, also known as an older child or sometimes firstling, is the first child to be
born in the family. Historically, for a firstborn son in patriarchal societies, the position has been
socially important in a sense that, the first born child inherits the property of their parent as well
as the rights and authority of headship in the family.
In this lesson, let us look into the understanding of the term “first born” as associated
with Jesus being the “firstborn over all creation”.
“FIRSTBORN” IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
What else would “firstborn” mean other than being born first – the eldest of the children
in a family? In the Bible the designation of firstborn often does mean the literal “one born first”
but just as often, if not more often, it has different connotations in scriptures.
1. Firstborn is an heir to the responsibility of headship in the family

In ancient Israel, the firstborn son inherited the father’s responsibilities as head of the
family (Genesis 27).
2. Firstborn is a privilege by selection

We see also in the stories of the patriarchs, that being the “firstborn” was a privilege
that could sometimes actually be bestowed on a younger son who was not the literal
firstborn at all. When we read the stories of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and
Joseph, we see that “firstborn” privilege was frequently not based on literal birth
order, but on selection (Gen. 25 – 50).
3. Firstborn as dedicated to God’s Service
Every firstborn Israelite male was dedicated to God’s service. This obligation was
later transferred to the Levites (Numbers 8:14-19).
But whether literally firstborn or chosen as such, the holder of the firstborn birth-right
held a special place in biblical society.
4. Firstborn as referring to Israel’s election of its special standing and priestly

ministry.
The nation of Israel as a whole was called God's firstborn (Exodus 4:22-23, Jeremiah
31:9, etc.). This fact signified Israel’s special standing among the nations and also the
priestly responsibility of Israel to be a “light” to the Gentile nations around them.
5. Firstborn can be used to mean whether good or bad.

In the Book of Job “firstborn” is even used of a terrible disease: “It consumes the
parts of his skin; the firstborn of death consumes his limbs” (Job 18:13 ).
6. Firstborn as somebody who is least or greatest.

When speaking of people, firstborn may mean the least or the greatest. So in
Isaiah we find “The firstborn of the poor will feed, and the needy will lie down in
safety” (Isaiah 14:30) and the Book of Psalms, speaking prophetically of the coming
Messiah; I will appoint him to be my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the
earth” (Psalm 89:27).
JESUS AS THE “FIRSTBORN OF ALL CREATION”

There are several passages in the New Testament where Christ is referred to as
the firstborn. One of the passages is found in the letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians (Col.
1:15-20);
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all
things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created
through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold
together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn
from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it
was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him
to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross;
through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
In this letter to the church at Colossae, the Apostle Paul gave an intriguing description of
Jesus. In it, he explained Christ’s relationship to God the Father and to creation. Some have
claimed that Paul’s description of Christ as the first-born of creation means that Jesus was
created -- not eternal, not God. Such a doctrine, however, conflicts with the rest of the Bible.
Christ could not be both Creator and created; John 1 clearly names Him Creator. Let’s take a
careful look at the passage where Jesus is called the first-born.
Jesus is God.
Christ’s relationship to His Father begins with the phrase "the image of the invisible
God." The word “image,” meaning copy or likeness, expresses Christ’s deity. This word involves
more than a resemblance, more than a representation. He is God! Although He took on human
form, He has the exact nature of His Father (Hebrews 1:3).
The "Word" of John 1:1 is a divine Person, not a philosophical abstraction. In the
incarnation, the invisible God became visible in Christ; deity was clothed with humanity
(Matthew 17:2). God is in Christ: visible, audible, approachable, knowable, and available. All
that God is, Christ is.
Jesus is Lord of Creation

The description "first-born of all creation" speaks of Christ’s pre-existence. He is not a
creature but the eternal Creator (John 1:10). God created the world through Christ and redeemed
the world through Christ (Hebrews 1:2-4).
Note that Jesus is called the first-born, not the first-created. The word "first-born" (Greek
word "prototokos") signifies priority. In the culture of the Ancient Near East, the first-born was
not necessarily the oldest child. First-born referred not to birth order but to rank. The first-born
possessed the inheritance and leadership.
Therefore, the phrase expresses Christ’s sovereignty over creation. After resurrecting
Jesus from the dead, God gave Him authority over the Earth (Matthew 28:18). Jesus created the
world, saved the world, and rules the world. He is the self-existent, acknowledged Head of
creation.
Finally, the phrase recognizes Him as the Messiah: "I will make Him [Christ] My first-born,
higher than the kings of the earth" (Psalm 89:27).
Six times the Lord Jesus is declared to be the first-born of God (see Romans
8:29; Colossians 1:15, 18; Hebrews 1:6; 12:23; Revelation 1:5). These passages declare the pre-
existence, the sovereignty, and the redemption that Christ offers.
Thus, the phrase "first-born of all creation" proclaims Christ’s pre-eminence. As the
eternal Son of God, He created the universe. He is the Ruler of creation!
CHURCH TEACHING ON COL. 1:15-20
(Excerpt from Pope Benedict’s general audience address in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City,
September 8, 2005)
Pope Benedict XVI dedicated his talk to a reflection on the canticle found in the letter of
St. Paul to the Colossians. He stated;
The heart of the hymn is composed of verses 15-20, where Christ, described as "image"
of the "invisible God”. The Greek term "eikon," icon, is dear to the Apostle: He uses it nine
times in his Letter, applying it either to Christ, perfect icon of God.Afterwards, Christ then is,
proclaimed as "firstborn of all creation". This imply that Christ is;
1. the principle of cohesion ("in him all things hold together"),
2. the mediator ("through him"), and
3. the final destiny toward which the whole of creation converges.
As a synthesis, Pope Benedict XVI, statedthat St. Paul’s presentation of Jesus Christ as
the "icon"- the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of all creation, signifies that the Lord
Jesus is the one who is "before all things," the one through whom and for whom "all things were
created," and the one in whom "all things hold together." Thus Christ is our principle of
cohesion, our Mediator and all creation's final destination. In the great family of God's children,
Christ is the Son par excellence.
LET US LEARN MORE
Activity A: Discovering Jesus in Creation

Direction: Identify the type of discovery that best describes the following items
a. Discovering Jesus in daily life

b.Discovering Jesus in the faith of others
c.Discovering Jesus in the natural world
d. Discovering Jesus through the human intellect
_____ 1. “I see and talk with several homeless people each day, and because of this, I am beginning to
understand how we can find Jesus in the poor.”
_____ 2. “Studying physics has strengthened my faith. Who else but God could have made up these
laws of nature?”
_____ 3. “I went on a retreat and heard a senior talk about her faith. She was so comfortable with it that
I thought to myself, ‘I should put more time into my relationship with God.’”
_____ 4. “Every time I try to cool off instead of yelling at my little brother, I realize that I am doing
something for God too.”
_____ 5. “No matter how much stress I carry in my life, I find that walking by the water brings me a
sense of peace and God’s presence.”
_____ 6. “My older brother suffers from depression. He struggles every day to keep going. Even though
he does not see himself this way, he is the most inspirational, faith-filled person I know.”
_____ 7. “A friend forwarded me a Scripture passage from an online service that sends him Scripture
quotes every day. His commitment to God impressed me.”
_____ 8. “My dad is brilliant. If he believes in God, I find it hard not to.”
_____ 9. “We did a report about a saint, and I was pretty impressed that Saint Catherine of Siena was a
peace broker in her time. If she could get that strength from God, then maybe I can too.”
_____ 10. “When I am at Mass with my family, I get to thinking, ‘The Eucharist is truly a source of
strength in my life!’”
Activity B: Finding Jesus in Caring for all of God’s Creation
Direction: Make a prayer articulating your hope in finding Jesus in the different aspect of
caring all of God’s creation
References:
Bible.Orgs. (2018). First Born of All Creation. Retrieved from https://bible.org/article/jesus-
and-christians-firstborn
Blue Letter Bible. (2018). In what Sense Is Jesus the Firstborn of all Creation. Retrieved from
https:// www. blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_216.cfm
Catholic Online. (2018).Commentary on Canticle in Colossians 1. Retrieved from

https://www.catholic.org /featured/headline.php?ID=2529
The Biblical Meaning of the “Firstborn” - livingwithfaith.org

www.livingwithfaith.org/blog/the-biblical-meaning-of-the-firstborn
Commentary on Canticle in Colossians 1 - Featured Today - Catholic Online

https://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=2529

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Lesson 1: JESUS, THE FIRSTBORN OF ALL CREATION

At the end of the lesson, the student can;

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING THE “FIRSTBORN”

“FIRSTBORN” IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. Firstborn is an heir to the responsibility of headship in the family

2. Firstborn is a privilege by selection

4. Firstborn as referring to Israel’s election of its special standing and priestly

5. Firstborn can be used to mean whether good or bad.

6. Firstborn as somebody who is least or greatest.

JESUS AS THE “FIRSTBORN OF ALL CREATION”

Jesus is Lord of Creation

Activity A: Discovering Jesus in Creation

a. Discovering Jesus in daily life

Catholic Online. (2018).Commentary on Canticle in Colossians 1. Retrieved from

The Biblical Meaning of the “Firstborn” - livingwithfaith.org

Commentary on Canticle in Colossians 1 - Featured Today - Catholic Online

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