We need constant reminders of who is the Head of the Church. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, holds that position, not the pastor or other leaders in the Church. — “Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.” (Eph. 5:23)
When we truly grasp that reality, we acknowledge Him as high above all else. He is essential to Body Life, holding full authority and dominion. That means we follow His purposes, design, and mission for the Church. We align with Him, not the other way around.
An Acrostic to Remind Us of What It Means for Jesus to be the Head of the Church
The following acrostic suggests why Jesus holds the position of Head of the Church.
H – Highest
Jesus is unlike all, with none greater than Him.
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. (Col. 1:18)
E – Essential
Jesus is critical to all, for without Him the Body isn’t held together.
the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. (Col. 2:19)
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph. 4:16)
A – Authority
Jesus is above all, the only true God who defines what is just and right.
… raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. (Eph. 1:20-21)
D – Dominion
He is over all, to whom one day all knees will bow with everyone and everything subject to Him.
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Eph. 1:22-23)
He is the head over every power and authority. (Col. 2:10)
Implications of Jesus’ Headship
This Jesus, the Head of the Church, is unparalleled. Why would we even think of doing ministry, and functioning as a Church, any way but God’s way?
As Head of the Church, …
He is the control center of the Body, with the authority to make the right decisions and the power to bring it about. (See Eph. 1:19-23)
Let’s give Him first place in all we do. He deserves to have all we do be about Him, for Him, and to Him. And, He enables us to do it all through Him.