The word for this week is "preeminence". It is found in these two places in the New Testament:
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. KJV
3 John 9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. KJV
In Colossians we are looking at the Greek word "proteuo". Strong's Concordance says: to be first in rank or influence. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to be first, hold first place. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: used of Christ in relation to the Church. The Theological Dictionary of New Testament words says: This word means "to be first in rank", often with a genetive and the person over whom one takes precedence.
In 3 John 9 we have the compound Greek word "philoproteuo". Strong's Concordance says: to be fond of being first, i.e. ambitous of distinction. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to aspire after preeminence, to deisre to be first. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to love to be preeminent, to strive to be first.
So, in Colossians we see the position that JESUS holds! There is no one above JESUS! He is first place in all good things! WE take our example from Him in how to think, speak and act! He is our 'paragon', our standard, our example! In 3 John we see someone who desires to have a position that does not belong to him! Our position IN CHRIST is unique! HE is the One with the preminence over all of creation. BUT, when we are IN HIM, then we have been given a special place of authority and dominion! Look at Ephesians 2:6:
6 And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
That position is NOT meant to be taken lightly, or to be used to 'lord it over' others. We have that unique and powerful position ONLY because of JESUS! HE is the truly preeminent One! Here are Hillsong Kids with "My Number One":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
