May 11, 2004

THE WORD

"So the Word became flesh; he came to dwell among us, and we saw his glory, such glory as befits the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14, NEB).

Three times the apostle John refers to Jesus as "the Word." He is the Word that "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14, NKJV); "the Word of life" (1 John 1:1); and the "Word of God" (Revelation 19:13).

The prologue to John's Gospel is an impressive introduction of Jesus: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). This sublime statement is a comprehensive declaration of Christ's eternity, personality, and deity. This divine title, "the Word," more than any other is replete with theological and spiritual insights. The whole plan of salvation is wrapped up in it.

This title is derived from the Greek noun, Logos, meaning "discourse," "utterance," "speech," or "expression." Words are the vehicle through which thoughts and ideas are expressed and communicated. Similarly, Christ, the Word incarnate, is the divine/human vehicle through which God the Father is fully communicated. As the incarnate Word, Christ was fully God and fully man. In such a capacity, He was uniquely able to reveal the character, mind, and will of God.

Christ, the Word, is the expression of who God is and what His will is for the human race. All the human race needs to know about God and His divine strategy for our salvation is adequately revealed in Christ, the incarnate Word. "By coming to dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to angels. He was the Word of God,--God's thoughts made audible."--The Desire of Ages, p. 19.

My Prayer Today: Lord, Your life and death have spoken audibly to me. May I never cease to hear Your message of salvation, Amen.