Reflection: The Word: Describing Jesus (at the start of the Gospel of John) is no small thing. In Jewish culture, words were powerful. In Genesis 1, we hear of the world being spoken into existence. Creation was brought into existence by the word. And in John 1, the Word is revealed as the second Person of the triune God, who said it and it was done, who spoke all things out of nothing in the first creation, who was in the beginning with God the Father, and was God, and by whom all things were created (John 1:14, John 1:9-18). Jesus not only spoke words that lead to eternal life, but according to this verse He is the very words of life, referring to the eternal life of joy and fulfilment which He provides.

Putting this all together, for the Jews of Jesus’ time, The Word was more than just language and communication. The Word meant life, power, and was personally involved with them. Jesus as the Word of God means perfect relationship with God, and with us. We can approach the throne of God with confidence knowing that Jesus as the Word of God has done it all.

Prayer: Lord God, by your words the world was spoken into existence. And when Jesus declared “it is finished”, you opened the door for our salvation in Christ to be confirmed. We thank you for Jesus the Word of God, so that we can know that our standing in you depends not on ourselves, but on the work of Christ Jesus. Amen.