Jesus Is LifeSample

Jesus Is the Word

The Gospel of John has a profound starting point compared to the other three Gospels. Matthew and Luke’s Gospel accounts begin with the birth of Jesus, and Mark’s Gospel opens with Jesus’ baptism.

The Gospel of John, however, starts with the author using these three words: In the beginning. Does this phrase seem familiar?

“In the beginning” is the Hebrew word, bereshith, from Genesis 1:1. This would have been a significant detail for the Jewish audience. The author uses these words because he doesn’t want anyone to misunderstand the significance of who the flesh and blood person of Jesus Christ really is—the Son of God. And because of who He is, Jesus was with God the Father before the universe was formed.

There was also deeper insight in calling Jesus “the Word” (John 1:1).

“Word” in Greek is logos. When this Gospel was written, Jews and Greeks understood logos as verbal expressions which reveal the thoughts or reasoning within a person. Because Jesus is the originator of all thought and communication, one might say that He is “the Word of words.” And in God’s wisdom, God the Father chose Jesus to become His divine expression—the logos—in human flesh.

Now consider the reasoning of God. Why would He become human through His Son, Jesus? Think about how Jesus lived, what He taught, and what He sacrificed.

The Word of God became the person of Jesus Christ so we could better see and understand the will, heart, and mind of God.

Without a doubt, Jesus as “the Word” is a complicated idea to understand—especially when the Word is described as a sharp sword (Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 4:12). It would be absurd to think we could possibly understand the full magnitude of these concepts. So let’s start by remembering that the Word is the healing surgeon of our hearts and souls.

Consider:

What can others see in your life that reveals the Word has had an impact on you?

Prayer:

Jesus, Word of God, thank You for revealing Yourself to me! I seek to know and love You more. I want Your awesome love to fill and flow through me. Thank You for coming to this earth to show me the Father and make a way for my salvation. Your love is beyond compare!

*Remember to use your Jesus Is … notebook to write down any insights about Jesus from each of today’s Scriptures.