Good morning. I appreciate it when things can be explained in simple, understandable terms. It is especially wonderful when things that are difficult or complicated are able to be explained in such a way.
So, explain Jesus. Who is He? What is His function and mission? What is His place in the authority structure of the universe? What does He mean to the world, and what does He mean to you and to me? Wow, the answer to those questions would have to be long and complicated, right?
Not for God. God inspired His servant John to begin the gospel that bears his name with the answer to all of those, and to many other questions. How complex, involved, and difficult is his explanation of Jesus? Join me in taking a look at the first words of the Gospel of John and see for yourself.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Jesus is The Word. He is eternal as God is eternal, and He is Creator as God is Creator. He is life itself, and He is the Light of the world.
But in the most powerful and succinct way that Jesus could ever be explained, we read this of Jesus in that first sentence: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jesus was and is a living, walking message from God. Jesus is God’s love letter to you and to me. Jesus was and is the powerful Word of creation. Jesus is God’s answer to our confusion and the calming word of comfort when we fear. Jesus, the Word, shows us the way, speaks to us the truth, and promises to us life.
Jesus, the Word. That says it all.
Vern