Last night my daughter applied for a job . . . from home . . . on her computer. With the advent of the “online application” it’s pretty easy to provide your qualifications and credentials to a potential employer. On the “other end” of this “web form” is a “search engine.” In addition to some program assessing whether or not you have the minimum qualifications based on how you answered the “Yes/No” questions, recruiters have the ability to search the database of applications for job relevant keywords. Kind of helps to know that when you’re filling out one of these “web forms” . . . keywords are everything.

So, if I were a searching for a Savior what keywords might I be interested in? What qualifications would I be looking for? The latter part of Colossians 1 (vv. 15-19) was on my reading plan this morning, and I read it . . . and re-read it . . . and read it again. It is one of the most awe-inspiring, heart-captivating, worship-evoking list of attributes of Christ contained anywhere in Scripture. Check out these keywords . . .

“Image of the invisible God” . . . “Firstborn of all creation” . . . “Creator of all things in heaven and earth” . . . “All things created through Him and for Him” . . . “Before all things” . . . “In Him all things hold together” . . . “Head of the body, the church” . . . “Firstborn from the dead” . . . “In Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” . . . “In everything, preeminent!” (Colossians 1:15-19 ESV).

How’s that for a list of qualifications? Not many results ( like only one! ) are gonna pop up when you Google those attributes. My Lord is unique . . . my Lord is in a class all of His own . . . my Lord is before, above, and over anything else to which you might want to compare Him . . . preeminent! Oh . . . how I love that word . . . preeminent! It’s used only once in the New Testament . . . of course . . . by it’s very definition it can be applied to only one . . . and that One is Jesus. He is first in everything (NLT) . . . alone having supremacy (NIV) . . . towering over everybody and everything (MSG). There’s no competition . . . no rivalry . . . no close second. He share’s the limelight with no one. Oh, what folly when we seek to put other people or other stuff above Him. By His very nature, in everything He is to be preeminent.

But do these attributes “qualify” Him for the “position” of Savior? Certainly, if I were doing a job search for “King” . . . “Creator” . . . “Sovereign” . . . “Judge” . . . these keywords would place Jesus at the top of the list. But Savior? One more set of keywords needs to be considered . . .

“For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him.” (Colossians 1:19-22 ESV)

Pick up those keywords? “Reconcile to Himself all things” . . . “Making peace by the blood of His cross” . . . “Has now reconciled in His body by death” . . . “Will present you holy, blameless, and above reproach.” Now those are qualifications for a Savior!

Preeminent . . . and Peacemaker. Ruler over all things . . . and Reconciler of those who were enemies of God. Creator of all things . . . and Cross-bearer . . . Sustainer of all things . . . and once for all atoning sacrifice . . . shedding His blood for the payment of my sin. Master . . . and Makeover Artist conforming us to His holy and blameless image. God, fully God . . . and gracious Groom preparing His bride to be presented to Himself in all of redemption’s glory.

Keywords are everything! Hallelujah! Now that’s a Savior! Amen?