Words of Life

Who isn’t searching for life?

A fulfilled life.
A valuable life.
A life that matters.
A life you enjoy.
A life from which you can share.

Where does life come from?

It’s a question that can be easily answered when you think about ‘earthly’ life or ‘fleshly’ life. And that life can be beautiful — but in this passage, Jesus is talking about something else. He says that it is the Spirit that gives life, and that His words are Spirit and life. Life comes from Jesus Himself. And just as this is true for our ‘flesh’, it is also true for who we are as a whole — Spirit, soul, and body. We need Jesus’ words.

In this episode of The Chosen, you see Matthew listening to the Sermon on the Mount — the greatest sermon ever. In previous episodes, you saw how Matthew was there as Jesus prepared this ‘sermon’. Matthew wrote. Matthew listened. Matthew helped. And now Jesus stands in front of a huge crowd and speaks the words aloud. And they have power!

Matthew says: “They are the same words that are written on paper, but now He speaks them aloud.”

Perhaps you’ve had that experience too, where you know a passage from the Bible well, but it ‘suddenly’ comes to life. As if the letters jump off the page and, this time, they are especially for you. Or you hear someone speak them, and it touches your heart, moves you, encourages you, or gives you a new insight.

The words of Jesus give life. Isaiah writes that the words of God will never return to Him empty without accomplishing their purpose. In Hebrews, we read that God’s word is powerful, sharper than a double-edged sword. His words bring distinction and do their work in us. The words of Jesus are powerful.

The words of Jesus are powerful enough for the situation you’re in. It is the word on which hundreds, even thousands, of people have built their lives for years. You can trust in it.

How do you take in these words? How do you listen? Do you have a way and a rhythm for it?

Jesus wants to give you life. Life in all its fullness, and His words play a crucial role in that.

Take them.
Read them.
Meditate on them.
Pray them.
Live them.

For in those words, you will find:

A fulfilled life.
A valuable life.
A life that matters.
A life you enjoy.
A life from which you can share.

In those words, you will find Jesus Himself.

Take the following questions with you to reflect on:

• How do you take in Jesus’ words?
• What do His words do to you?
• What do you do with His words?

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, I want to hear, read, meditate on, take in, do, and live out Your words. I want to live, truly live a life in fullness, enjoying it. Will You speak, and will You help me to hear You? Thank You. Amen.”