Unlimited: The Firstborn Among Many
Feb 6, 2023 683
that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters (Romans 8:29b).
The apostle Paul has told us that we are the heirs of God and co-heirs of Christ. In God’s kingdom, this places us with the status of brothers and sisters, all children of God. It also strikingly elevates us to the position of brothers and sisters of Christ.
Thus, Christ is our elder brother. He is the firstborn of many children.
By referring to Christ as the firstborn, Paul is referring to him not only as our leader, but as the one who goes before us in all that we will experience. Specifically, Jesus is the one who goes before us in righteousness and glory.
Christ is the firstborn of many children.
In ancient Israel, the firstborn was the one who was expected to rescue, lead and protect the family on behalf of his father. That is what Jesus does for us. This is beautifully explained in the book of Hebrews:
Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters… he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery… (Heb. 2:11,14–15.)
Spiritual Application
How have your brothers and sisters shown Christ to you? If they haven’t, what is it that Christ can provide that your life has lacked?
Okurut Martin
Feb 7, 2023
True, we are brothers in Christ Jesus our Lord. He is our hero who lights for us. Amen n Amen