Jesus is The Word
Jesus: The Word
Read John 1:1-17
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”
When we think of the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus, our thoughts go immediately to Matthew and Luke and the story of the Wisemen and shepherds. We turn to the passages that tell us what happened on that incredible night. However, John 1:1-17 is equally focused upon the birth of Jesus. While Matthew and Luke tell the of the event, John focuses more on the importance of the event. He begins by announcing not the birth of Jesus but the arrival of “The Word.” In this name or title, John connects the person and activity of Christ to the person and action of God.
The first thing that strikes us is the phrase “in the beginning.” These words point us back to the very beginning of time and God's creative work. When God created the universe, he spoke the world into existence. By stating that Jesus was the Word, John affirms that it was through Christ that this creative work was accomplished. This is further verified by the writer of Hebrews, “In these last days has spoken to us in His son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” When John states that Jesus is the Word, he affirms his preexistence and preeminence over all creation. As the creator, his also the one who sustains the universe by the Word of his power (Hebrews 1:3). Scientists struggle to find the unifying principle of the universe. They understand quantum mechanics (the understanding of very small things), and they study general relativity (the explanation of large things). But they do not understand how the two interact. They cannot identify the unifying principles that enable quantum mechanics and general relativity to work harmoniously. They have theories (e.g., string theory) but no conclusion. However, for scripture, the ultimate unifying principle that holds and maintains the universe together is not a theory of science; it is a person of Christ.
Second, affirming that Christ is the Word also points to Christ as the divine revelation of God. In the past, God revealed himself through the words and messages of the prophets. But Christ became the fullest revelation of God to the world. He is the one who tells the character, will, and nature of God to humanity. Yet the self-disclosure of God through Christ was far greater than that of the prophets. Christ was not only the Word of God; he was God himself, come in the flesh. Christ is the “radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his nature” (Hebrews 1:3). He came to reveal the Father to us so that when we see Christ, we do not merely see a veiled image of the Father, we see the Father as well (John 14:8-10). Jesus is the ultimate self-disclosure of God.
Third, the incarnation of Christ as the Word provides the basis for reconciling humanity to God. Not only does he represent and reveal God to man, but as a man, he also represents man to God. Thus he becomes our substitute and the basis for our reconciliation.
In his description, John reminds us that the universe and our lives are not governed by indifferent laws of creation, indifferent and impersonal. Instead, the universe is governed by a personal God who sustains the universe and is deeply engaged in our lives as he became one with us. The incarnation of Christ reminds us that he is not uncaring, merely a cosmic observer who is like one of us, watching the activity of an ant hill- curious but disinterested. Christ entered into our world so that he might participate in us. Christ, as God’s self-revelation to us, points us to a God who sympathizes with our weakness and is a source of grace and helps in times of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).
The story of Christmas is a story of God becoming one of us to reveal himself to us and bring us salvation. Yet, rather than embracing him, we reject him. We scorn him just as we scorned his image that was imprinted in us. Yet there is hope. If we accept him and receive the salvation he offers, he will save us and elevate us to being his children (John 1:14). That is the story of Christmas.
Read John 1:1-17
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”
When we think of the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus, our thoughts go immediately to Matthew and Luke and the story of the Wisemen and shepherds. We turn to the passages that tell us what happened on that incredible night. However, John 1:1-17 is equally focused upon the birth of Jesus. While Matthew and Luke tell the of the event, John focuses more on the importance of the event. He begins by announcing not the birth of Jesus but the arrival of “The Word.” In this name or title, John connects the person and activity of Christ to the person and action of God.
The first thing that strikes us is the phrase “in the beginning.” These words point us back to the very beginning of time and God's creative work. When God created the universe, he spoke the world into existence. By stating that Jesus was the Word, John affirms that it was through Christ that this creative work was accomplished. This is further verified by the writer of Hebrews, “In these last days has spoken to us in His son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” When John states that Jesus is the Word, he affirms his preexistence and preeminence over all creation. As the creator, his also the one who sustains the universe by the Word of his power (Hebrews 1:3). Scientists struggle to find the unifying principle of the universe. They understand quantum mechanics (the understanding of very small things), and they study general relativity (the explanation of large things). But they do not understand how the two interact. They cannot identify the unifying principles that enable quantum mechanics and general relativity to work harmoniously. They have theories (e.g., string theory) but no conclusion. However, for scripture, the ultimate unifying principle that holds and maintains the universe together is not a theory of science; it is a person of Christ.
Second, affirming that Christ is the Word also points to Christ as the divine revelation of God. In the past, God revealed himself through the words and messages of the prophets. But Christ became the fullest revelation of God to the world. He is the one who tells the character, will, and nature of God to humanity. Yet the self-disclosure of God through Christ was far greater than that of the prophets. Christ was not only the Word of God; he was God himself, come in the flesh. Christ is the “radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his nature” (Hebrews 1:3). He came to reveal the Father to us so that when we see Christ, we do not merely see a veiled image of the Father, we see the Father as well (John 14:8-10). Jesus is the ultimate self-disclosure of God.
Third, the incarnation of Christ as the Word provides the basis for reconciling humanity to God. Not only does he represent and reveal God to man, but as a man, he also represents man to God. Thus he becomes our substitute and the basis for our reconciliation.
In his description, John reminds us that the universe and our lives are not governed by indifferent laws of creation, indifferent and impersonal. Instead, the universe is governed by a personal God who sustains the universe and is deeply engaged in our lives as he became one with us. The incarnation of Christ reminds us that he is not uncaring, merely a cosmic observer who is like one of us, watching the activity of an ant hill- curious but disinterested. Christ entered into our world so that he might participate in us. Christ, as God’s self-revelation to us, points us to a God who sympathizes with our weakness and is a source of grace and helps in times of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).
The story of Christmas is a story of God becoming one of us to reveal himself to us and bring us salvation. Yet, rather than embracing him, we reject him. We scorn him just as we scorned his image that was imprinted in us. Yet there is hope. If we accept him and receive the salvation he offers, he will save us and elevate us to being his children (John 1:14). That is the story of Christmas.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
The Coming JudgmentThat is My KingThe Certainty of Christ's WordsThe Uncertain CertaintyThe Importance of Spiritual PreparednessThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyChrist's Measure of SuccessThe Unpopular TopicRejection, Confusion, Betrayal, and WorshipBetrayal and RedemptionThe Inexplicable Act of LoveBetrayal, Bravado, and FearBetrayal, Bravado, and FearThe Unlikely Witnesses of Jesus' DietyRemorse, Repentance and ForgivenessThe Power of the Crowd and the Power of FaithThe Irony of the CrucifixionThe Cost of SinThe Cure for SinThe Reality of the ResurrectionLiving a Life of SignificanceThe Attitude of a SlaveThe Basis for Confident LivingThe Basis for Confident Living
February
The Prayer God AnswersWhen Adversity Becomes a TriumphFinding Joy in the Ministry of OthersPursuing the InsignificantPerspective in SufferingThe Sacrifice of SelfIf God can do it, then why can't we.The "Kenosis" of Christ"THE NAME"Divine Initiative and Human ResponsibilityThe Age of ComplaintReorienting our Focus Pt 1
March
Reorienting Our Focus Pt 2The Basis of SalvationDetermining ValueSetting the Right Goal in LifeFollowing the Right PeopleRecognizing our CitizenshipResponding to ConflictThe Keys to PeaceLearning to Think RightlyThe Secret of ContentmentThe Blessing of GivingA Life without SignificanceThe Futility of LifeThe Endless PursuitThe Futility of PleasureThe Limits of WisdomEvaluating Our WorkFinding Joy in LifeThe Doctrine of Right Time
April
May
Finding BalanceThe Folly of AllObeying Those in LeadershipWhen Injustice ReignsKeeping Perspective in an Upredictable WorldFinding Success in the World of VanityThe Value of Wisdom in the Struggles of LifeThe Danger of Foolish ThinkingTrusting in God's Unseen HandEnjoy the MomentAct before it is too late.The Geneology of Christ: A Testimony of God’s Grace and SovereigntyChrist the KingThe Authority of Christ
June
The Compassion of ChristThe God who cares for us.The Power of JesusThe ServantChrist the JudgeThe Compassion of ChristScandalous GraceThe Power of Christ Over DeathWho Is Jesus?The Majestic KingThe TIming of GodThe Value of NothingThe Basis for Security in LifeThe Joy of The FatherThe Grace of JesusThe Divine WordThe Greatest Prayer
Categories
no categories
No Comments