And the Word became flesh

We are indebted to the Gospel of John for so much of our understanding of who Jesus Christ was and is. In the opening verses John refers to Jesus Christ as the Word. In John 1:1 he writes, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” We know that the Word here refers to Jesus because later in the same chapter he records, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us . . . (1:14).

So then why is Jesus referred to as the Word? Why refer to him by this name? Think about it with me. Words communicate don’t they? Without words I wouldn’t be writing this daily blog, and you wouldn’t be reading it. In fact, you wouldn’t be reading at all if there were no words.  Newspapers would be obsolete.  So would that favorite novel you read recently.  You would not have enjoyed the romance, emotion, and   suspense   of   the    author’s imagination. You see, without words, the author is stripped of his ability to communicate to you. And that is precisely the reason Jesus is referred to as the Word. As the Son of God He communicates to us what God the Father is like. In John 1:18 we read, “No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son. . . He has explained Him.”

The word translated explained is the word from which we take our English word exegete. It means to communicate the real meaning of what was said. To give the clearest, and most precise understanding of the words themselves.

It means that when Jesus Christ walked on this earth, and was referred to as the Word  He was communicating how God the Father thinks, and acts, and everything He is. Only Jesus could do this, for Jesus was God (John 1:1).

So next time you begin reading just words to find out what a writer is thinking, remember that if you examine the life of The Word, you will discover what God is thinking.