In John 1:1, the disciple tells us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." and in John 1:14, he tells us that this very Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Emmanuel, God with us, lived as you and I. John tells us that He is the creator of all that is. And all that is came about through the spoken Word. But what was the significance of John calling Jesus, the Word? Why not just call him God? John wanted people to understand that Jesus is God, and also the One who reveals who God is.
Logos in Greek and Jewish Thought
Evan Wickham once said, "Jesus is what God has to say." Jesus is a living message from the Father to the world. He is the Word that communicates the will of God to the world. The Greek word Logos is used to refer to the Word in this way while a different word, Rhema, is used to refer to specific occasions where the words of God were written or spoken.
Logos literally means word, discourse, or reason. It is the basis of what we call logic. It was the order of creation. In both Greek and Jewish thought, Logos was seen as the principle through which the universe was ordered and sustained. This word goes back to the Old Testament.
Logos according to Greek philosophy gave the world meaning. It was like a bridge between God and the universe. Thus Gentiles (the Greeks) and Jews would both understand that the Word existed eternally. Jesus is the Word that gives life meaning. He is the bridge between our fallen world and God. This connection becomes even clearer when we examine the Old Testament.
Understanding Jesus as the Word: Creator and Savior
In the Old Testament, we see the word of the Lord personified in Psalm 33:4, Christians see this as a reference to Jesus. In this Psalm, we are told that the word is right and true, faithful in all that he does. In Psalm 107:20, the word is described as healing and delivering people from destruction. Psalm 119:89 tells us that the word is firmly fixed in the Heavens. Again in Isaiah 40:8, we read that the grass withers and the flowers fail, but the Word of the Lord endures forever.
In many parts of the Old Testament, the word of the Lord (Logos) represents God's revelations. In Jewish belief, Wisdom serves God by drawing humans to Him. Wisdom is identified with the word of God. We see this most clearly in Proverbs 1:20-33 where wisdom calls with urgency, to those who would listen, to fear the Lord.
When Proverbs discusses wisdom it represents God's own wisdom and guidance. In Proverbs 8, wisdom is said to be present with God at creation. When John speaks about Jesus, though, he wants us to understand that Jesus is not merely a representation of God's message, but is truly God Himself, living among us.
The Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, were known by the Jews as the word of God because they were revealed by God to Moses. Jesus is the fulfillment of all that the Torah proclaimed (Hebrews 10:18-14). And in Matthew 5:17, Jesus tells us He came to fulfill the Law. The concept of the Word as both the wisdom of God and the means by which He reveals Himself, helps us see how Jesus fulfills God's promises in Scripture. Jesus, as the Word also, reveals the nature of the Trinity.
The Trinity Revealed in the Word
By speaking of Jesus as the Word who was God, we see the beginning of the introduction of the concept of the Trinity. We see the triune nature of God at Jesus' baptism. John describes the Holy Spirit descending upon Him (John 1:32). We also hear God speak from the Heavens declaring that Jesus was His Son (Matthew 3:17). All three present—all three one. The Old Testament also has many references that talk about God in the plural (Genesis 1:26, 3:22, and 11:7). This indicates to Bible scholars that they are referring to the Trinity.
John shows us that Jesus was not just a messenger or a prophet but fully God, present at Creation. Nor was Jesus just a man. God is one in essence, but three in person. Essence means what you are. To say 'three in person' means that God exists as three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each fully God, yet sharing one essence. As part of the Trinity, Jesus was sent by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit for His mission on earth. John also explains the purpose of the coming of the Word—to bring life.
Jesus, the Light of the World
John 1:4-5 tells us that only through Jesus can men find life. John says Jesus is the light. Light represents all that is good, while darkness implies evil. Jesus, as the Word, shines a light on our lives and reveals our sinful need for Him. Those who want to remain in darkness don't like the light. They want their sin to remain hidden. When we receive the light, our lives become light for others. As Christians we fight darkness with light. Are we showing our light to others? Do they see Christ in us? Or are we hiding the light of Christ under a bushel, as Matthew 5:15 says?
Living as Letters from Christ
If we have the light of Christ others should see it. Paul tells us our lives are a letter from Christ (2 Corinthians 3:3 ). Christ has written Himself on our hearts. The Holy Spirit equips us to live out and share the message of Jesus today. The words we use reflect our relationship to Him. How we live, how we act, proclaims His truth. In the book of James, when he talks about the word in James 1:18, he uses the same Greek word, Logos, that John used.
James says that we have been "brought forth by the word of truth". We have been saved through the Word. We have become a new creation by the Word. We are the "first fruits", as James calls us. In Biblical times, the first harvested crops were offered to God. If we are His first fruits, then it implies that we should be dedicated to Him and His will. We learn more about Jesus's mission from His own words in the New Testament.
Jesus, God Incarnate, and His Eternal Purpose.
God's love was expressed by sending His Son to die for us—His fallen creation. Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets and declared Himself to be God in John 8:58, where He says He is the 'I Am.' Just as in the Old Testament, in Exodus 3:14, when God says, "I am that I am." This eternal nature of Jesus, as the great 'I Am,' shows the importance of His role as Creator, a truth John brings out in his Gospel.
John explains in John 1:3 that the Word existed before any created thing. This reinforces the fact that Jesus is God. Jesus not only brought all things into existence, but it is through Jesus that the will of God is communicated.
God speaks to us in many ways. We hear Him speak through creation (Psalm 19:1), the prophets, Scripture, the Holy Spirit and of course through Jesus Himself. Not just Jesus' words, but also through His life, death and resurrection. How do we recognize the will of God? Are we listening? More importantly, how are we responding to Jesus? When God says to do a thing, do we?
Jesus: The Eternal Word and Our Hope Today
Finally, in Revelation 19:13 we read, "He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God." Again, when Jesus comes to judge the world He is the Logos, the Word of God.
As we've seen, understanding Jesus as the Word—Creator and Savior—helps us understand His eternal role in creation and His mission to save us. As Christians we are so blessed to have the Word revealed to us by the Son of God. He is the Word and He will come again as the Word of God. He has fulfilled the Old Testament predictions and He has brought life and light to our world of darkness. Thanks be to God!
Carefully read John's explanation of who Jesus is. Jesus, our eternal Word, reveals the heart of God. As we wait for His return, we should show His truth to others and be guided by His Word. Jesus brings hope to our lives. Is He your hope? Or are you still living in darkness? If you don't know Him, now is the time.
John 3:36 tells us, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life." This doesn't mean just acknowledging His existence. It means agreeing with His teachings, His mission, His death and resurrection, and His atonement for your sin. The Word is calling! Answer before it's too late.
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