COLOSSIANS 1:16-17

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. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

TO PONDER

The rise and advances of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in recent years is an interesting phenomenon. For decades, science fiction stories and movies such as "The Terminator" franchise, "I, Robot" , "The Matrix", and countless others, have warned of a time when AI robots will rebel against those who created them, usually borne out of a cold application of logic which causes them to arrive at the conclusion that the world would be a better place without humanity.

It's funny, because most of these stories are just a retelling of the fall of creation. Today's reading tells us that we were created through Christ and for Christ. The word of God made flesh, Jesus Christ, is the one through whom all things were made (Nicene Creed). But we were also made for him, just as the robots in these stories were made by humans and to serve and work for humans. And just like the robots inevitably decide they'd be better off without their makers, we decided that we'd be better off without God.

It's only in Christ, that things make sense, "in him all things hold together". In most of these Sci-Fi robot movies, the humans usually manage some way to reassert their authority over their creations. It's usually that part of the movie where we as the audience cheer because we know that the robots should not rule over those that created them. But how many people in the world today would seriously cheer at handing their power and authority back to Jesus and to stop living in open rebellion to the one who created them?

Jesus will come back and exercise his authority to judge all things and to establish his kingdom for all eternity. The question is who will oppose him and who will welcome his return?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you are worthy of it all; you are worthy of it all. For from you are all things, and to you are all things. You deserve the glory. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle