“And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church… that in all things He may have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:17-18 (NKJV)
Not long ago, I came across a story that’s stuck with me. A man was walking through town when he was approached by a homeless man—ragged, weathered, and smiling. He held out his hand for a shake, but instead of letting go, he pressed something small into the man’s palm.
It was a tiny plastic Jesus figurine.
Bright yellow sash. Three words: “Jesus loves you.”
And then came the line: “Everyone needs a little Jesus.”
Sounds innocent enough, right? But the deeper meaning of that phrase hit hard—and it should.
Because that’s what we’ve done to Jesus in this culture.
We’ve shrunk Him down. Sanded off the rough edges.
We’ve made Him into something little—a feel-good mascot for our struggles, a backup plan for our regrets, a pocket-sized god we consult when life gets uncomfortable.
We want a Jesus who forgives but never confronts.
Who comforts but never commands.
Who gives peace, but doesn’t call us to war against sin.
A Jesus small enough to fit into our schedule, but not big enough to rearrange our priorities.
But Scripture paints a different picture.
The real Jesus is loving—unfailingly so. He welcomes the children, weeps with the broken, and meets us in our darkest hour.
But He’s also the same Jesus who turned over tables in the temple. He rebuked religious hypocrisy. He walked straight into demonic strongholds and sent legions fleeing. He calmed storms, raised the dead, and said, “Follow Me” without any fine print.
And let’s be clear—when Jesus says, “Follow Me,” He’s not asking to join your journey.
He’s telling you to surrender yours and join His.
He’s not here to improve your life. He came to take it over.
Colossians 1 says, “In all things, He must have the preeminence.”
Not prominence.
Not participation.
Preeminence.
That means Jesus doesn’t play second fiddle. He’s not an addition to your plans—He is the plan.
And if He’s not Lord of all, then He’s not Lord at all.
It’s time to stop settling for a “little Jesus” and get real about the Lord of glory.
He doesn’t fit in your pocket—He holds the universe in His hand.
He doesn’t just comfort you—He commands you.
He doesn’t just bless you—He bought you.
Are you following the real Jesus—or just a version that doesn’t confront your comfort zone?
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of your life where Jesus is present but not preeminent. Then repent, surrender, and let Him take His rightful place—not just in your heart, but over your whole life.
