Making the Invisible, Visible
When I was eleven years old, I saw the illusionist, David Copperfield, perform live in Dallas, Texas, back in 1991. To say I was amazed would be an understatement. The auditorium was packed, buzzing with anticipation. As a kid, I didn’t know what to expect, but when Copperfield began his performance, it felt like I had entered a world where the impossible became possible.
One stunt, in particular, left me speechless: he vanished from one side of the stage and, within seconds, reappeared at the opposite end of the auditorium. It defied logic. I remember looking at the faces of those around me—everyone was stunned. It was like magic made real, something invisible suddenly becoming visible again. Of course, now I understand it was an illusion, a trick of the eye and stage. But at the time, it felt like pure wonder.
This memory often comes back to me when I read Colossians 1:15–28, especially verse 15:
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
Paul writes to the believers in Colossae to remind them—and us—that Jesus Christ is not an illusion. He is not sleight of hand or a temporary spectacle. Jesus is the real image of the invisible God, the One who makes what we could never see, seeable.
Unlike Copperfield, whose tricks rely on hiding what’s really going on, Jesus does the opposite—He reveals what has always been true but hidden: that God is not distant, unknowable, or indifferent. In Christ, the fullness of God chose to dwell (v. 19). Through Him, the invisible becomes visible—not just in theology, but in how we live, how we love, and how we endure.
Just as I once sat in awe at what seemed impossible, the gospel invites us into a greater wonder:
That God became flesh.
That the Creator walked among creation.
That the holy One embraced the unholy to make us whole.
Paul goes on to say in verse 27,
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
What was once hidden is now revealed—not just to see, but to experience. Christ isn’t simply someone we look at; He’s someone who now lives in us. The greatest miracle isn’t that Jesus came and did amazing things—though He did—but that He remains in us by His Spirit. This is no illusion. It’s the foundation of our hope.
Copperfield’s show ended that night. The lights came on, and I left with memories that eventually faded. But the light of Christ doesn’t dim. His presence doesn’t pack up and leave town. He remains, revealing the invisible God daily—through His Word, His Spirit, and His people.
In God’s grip,
Pastor Chuck Church
Reflection Questions:
In what ways has Jesus made the invisible God real and personal to you?
Are there areas in your life where you still see God as hidden or distant?
How might you reflect Christ—make Him visible—to someone else today?
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for making the invisible God known to us. You are not an illusion, but the reality our souls long for. Help me see You clearly and reflect Your image in my daily life. Reveal Your presence in my heart and help me make You visible to those around me. Amen.
