CHRIST the FIRSTBORN: “When He again brings the Firstborn into the world, He says: ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him’” (Heb 1:6). The Lord says of David, Jesse’s youngest son, “I will make him My firstborn” (Ps 89:27). This is not an exception, but the rule in Scripture. The firstborn was never born first. Cain was born first; Abel was the firstborn. Ishmael was born first; Isaac was the firstborn. Esau was born first; Jacob was the firstborn. Israel came first but the Church is the “church of the firstborn” (Heb 12:23). Adam came first as head of the original creation; Christ is Firstborn as the Ideal of the new creation—“the Firstborn of every creature” (Col 1:15). He is also “Firstborn from the dead” (Col 1:18). Not as others before Him who were resuscitated, He blazed a trail through death and rose as Victor in the power of an endless life. He is also “Firstborn among many brethren” (Rom 8:29), the Prototype of what we shall be when we shall be like Him! —J.B.N.