**The Supremacy of Christ: A Story of Faith in Colossae**
The city of Colossae lay nestled in the Lycus Valley, its streets bustling with merchants, philosophers, and travelers from distant lands. The air was thick with the scent of spices and the murmur of many voices—some debating the latest philosophies, others whispering of a new hope that had taken root in their midst.
Among the believers was a man named Epaphras, whose heart burned with the truth he had received. He had journeyed far to learn from the apostle Paul, and now he returned, eager to share the wondrous message of Christ with his people. In the dim light of a humble home, a small gathering of believers sat in rapt attention as Epaphras unrolled a letter—a sacred message from Paul himself, written from a prison cell yet brimming with divine power.
“Brothers and sisters,” Epaphras began, his voice steady with conviction, “hear the words given to us by the Spirit through our brother Paul.” He cleared his throat and read:
*”Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the holy and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ at Colossae: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.”*
A murmur of gratitude rippled through the room. These were not mere words of greeting—they were a reminder of the unshakable bond they shared in Christ.
Epaphras continued, his voice swelling with passion as he read Paul’s prayer for them:
*”We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people—the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven.”*
An elderly woman named Lydia clasped her hands together, her eyes glistening. She had endured much hardship, yet the promise of heaven filled her with quiet joy. A young man, once a skeptic, bowed his head in awe. The hope Paul spoke of was not a fleeting dream—it was a certainty, secured by Christ Himself.
Epaphras read on, his voice deepening with reverence as he proclaimed the supremacy of the Savior:
*”The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.”*
The room seemed to grow still, as if the very air trembled at the majesty of Christ. A former philosopher, once entangled in debates about the nature of the divine, let out a slow breath. Here was the answer to every question—Christ, the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
*”He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together,”* Epaphras declared. A potter in the corner, who had spent his life shaping clay, marveled at the thought—Christ, the unseen hand holding the universe in perfect order.
Then came the most glorious truth of all:
*”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.”*
Tears streamed down the face of a woman who had once lived in shame, burdened by guilt. The cross—where mercy triumphed, where her sins were washed away. A Roman soldier, newly come to faith, clenched his fists in gratitude. He had known only the way of the sword, but Christ had brought true peace.
Epaphras finished with Paul’s exhortation:
*”Once you were alienated from God and enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.”*
Silence lingered, heavy with awe. Then, one by one, the believers began to pray, their voices rising in worship. They had heard of Christ’s supremacy, His sacrifice, their redemption—and their hearts overflowed.
That night, as the lamps flickered and the stars shone over Colossae, the truth of Christ’s lordship burned brighter than ever in their souls. They were no longer mere citizens of an earthly city—they were part of an eternal kingdom, redeemed by the blood of the One who held all things together.
And so, strengthened by Paul’s words, they resolved to live worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit in every good work, rooted and built up in Him. For in Christ alone was their hope, their life, and their victory.
