One easy way to meditate on scripture is to read a verse repeatedly and emphasize a different word every time, thinking about what each word brings to the passage. (I think this works best on scriptures that are “sound bite size.”) Colossians 1:27 reads, “To them [the saints] God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” At a time when I was discouraged in my walk with the Lord, the last part of that verse really spoke to me. I personalized it and frequently reminded myself, “Christ in me, the hope of glory.” Let’s take a closer look at it.
Christ in me, the hope of glory. Christ, or Messiah, means anointed. He is the one the Jews were looking for to save them. In Jesus’ day, the main thing they wanted to be saved from was the Romans. God thought a different kind of salvation was needed. In the Old Testament we see people anointing things (like Jacob anointing his stone pillow after his dream of angels ascending and descending into heaven) or people (like priests). This anointing was done to consecrate, purify, dedicate, or set apart for a special purpose. Jesus, as the anointed one, came to bring salvation—a task he was set apart for and only he could fulfill.
Christ in m,e the hope of glory. Christ is not just near, but actually lives inside me. This is meant to be an intimate relationship. I can find pleasure in his companionship.
Christ in me, the hope of glory. There is no way I can look at who Jesus is and think I deserve the sacrifice he made for me. Jesus has not looked at my worth, he has acted out of his love. He lives in me, undeserving as I am.
Christ in me, the hope of glory. Hope, as it is used in the Bible, is an expectation of good. Something is being anticipated. There is something that I can eagerly await because Christ is in me.
Christ in me, the hope of glory. There is a yet-to-be-seen glory that someday will be revealed, which is why it’s a hope of glory. I’m not personally clear on just what this glory refers to, but I can anticipate it anyway. I am looking forward to the day when I can see God in all his glory, have an eternity to explore the depths of his infinity, and join with the saints and angels in praising and glorifying him.
If I’m having a bad day, these words are very comforting to me .Christ is in me. I can have a hope—for this life and, especially, for the next.