On the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing and the glimpse of the universe that accompanied it, we reflect on the glimpses we have of the creator of that universe through Jesus Christ (Colossians 1.15-28).
Context
In case you’ve missed it, Saturday 20 July 2019 is the 50th anniversary of the moment two men set foot on the moon. Coming to power in 1961 and spurred on by the Soviet Union’s space programme (which had succeeded in putting Yuri Gagarin into orbit), John F Kennedy announced that he had even greater ambitions: to put a man on the moon. In his now famous 1962 speech to a packed football stadium, Kennedy announced to America and the world: ‘we choose to go to the moon.’ (Read the full speech.) By 1969, they had done it. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the surface of the moon, marking an epoch in space technology and the possibilities of human endeavour. Both men gave the world a glimpse of what lay beyond.
Reflection
In many ways the Apollo 11 mission expanded the world’s horizons. The grainy images coming from the surface of the moon allowed human beings back on earth to look more closely at something that had only ever been viewed in the sky at night. The moon-landing fired imaginations, 600 million people tuned in to watch the Eagle landing, and this glimpse of another part of our solar system has continued to inspire many of those who will forever stay earthbound. Songs, novels, and films keep the Apollo project alive in popular culture. But to this day, only 12 men – no women! – have ever actually been to the moon, and no one has yet set foot on any other planet in our solar system. Even counting up the probes, robots and rovers that have landed on Mercury, Venus and Mars, as a human species we still have only glimpses of outer space. The full collection of video footage, telescope images and satellite pictures allows humankind to look at just a small corner of the universe that we are part of.
The poem in the opening passage of Colossians offers the reader another glimpse of something beyond. This lyrical, powerful description of Jesus, God incarnate, a man who dwelt among us, allows humankind to glimpse for themselves the invisible God. Colossians 1 draws us into the creation story, highlights the power Jesus has over rulers and authorities, and reveals his authority to reconcile and make peace through the mighty work completed on the cross. The poem reveals Jesus, and by looking at him we are offered glimpse after glimpse of what God is like: the invisible divine being made visible, the unknowable made knowable.
Like the universe we inhabit, there is so much about its creator that earthbound humanity can’t know; so much that we don’t understand this side of heaven. But in his compassion for us, God allowed us a glimpse of himself. The incarnate Jesus walked among us, God with us. And this revelation of God inspires us, not just in words, songs and films, but in our real and living faith in the God who holds the moon, stars and the whole universe together.
Prayer
Use today’s poetic passage from Colossians 1 as a way to reflect on Jesus as the embodied image of God. Slowly read each section of the passage as outlined below and use the questions to help people think about what it means for them. As time permits, allow some space between each statement. The text is quoted from the New International Versions (NIV).
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 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.
Think about your own relationship with Jesus.
- What do you see in him?
- How does he reflect God?
- How do these words make you feel?
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
- What does it mean in your life that Jesus is before all things?
- What glimpse do we get of God through these words?
- How do these words make you feel?
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Think about your church.
- Is Jesus reigning supreme?
- What do these words tell you about God?
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Think about the cross.
- How do you understand this act?
- What impact has it had on your life?
- How does the cross speak to you about God?
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.
- How do these words make you feel?
- How does Jesus reflect God in this part of the passage?
- How do you want to respond?
Questions
- What does it mean to you to glimpse God through Jesus?
- Can you think of a time when you glimpsed something new about God?
All-age activity
Give everyone a piece of paper and a pencil. Play Rend Collective’s ‘Just a Glimpse’.
As the song plays, encourage people to listen carefully to the words and to draw an image that comes to mind prompted either by the song or other aspects of your worship today. Explain that the quality of the art is not important, more an attempt to capture something that stands out.
After the song has ended, invite people to share together the images they have drawn. If they wish to offer an explanation, they may do so, but this should not be an obligation.
You could replay the song as a way to complete the activity.
Young people
Play the game called ‘Just a Glimpse’. Working in pairs, invite the young people to move around the space (including outside, if possible) and to photograph bits of familiar objects using camera phones. Explain that they should try to make the something familiar look very unfamiliar in the photo – for example, they could do an extreme close up of the corner of a notice sheet, or the bottom part of a coffee cup. Ask them to save the images and return with several after 5-10 minutes. When the group is back together, ask each pair to choose their best three shots. Each pair should show the whole group their images and the person who guesses the most correctly wins the game.
Fiona Dorman is Education Officer at Bristol Cathedral and a freelance education consultant.
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