Day 19: The Word

John uses a common Greek word λόγος (logos) in describing the nature of Christ. Logos occurs hundreds of times in the New Testament in everyday context meaning “communicating a thought.” Logos differs from the alternate choice for word, rhema, in that logos is not only the audible utterance or written script, but also includes the logic or thinking of the communicator. John might be the only New Testament author to refer to Christ this way (in 1 John 1:1 and Rev 19:13). But, it's possible that we're just missing the bigger context of other passages.

The phrase “the word of the Lord” appears hundreds of times in the Old Testament (e.g., Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision…). The phrase always refers to a clear revelation or message from God. I think this is the connection John was making for us. Jesus incarnate is the embodiment of God's message to us. But, what does God most want to reveal to us? Well, His nature…His heart.

Heb 1:1: After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets, 2 in these last days he has spoken to us in a son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world. (NET)

What is the difference between “sending a son to speak to us” and “spoken to us in a son?” (verse 2)

For a thousand years before Christ, Moses and other prophets had delivered God's word to Israel as faithful messengers. Most of them were ignored, many persecuted and killed (Matt 23:29-37, Acts 7:52). But, eventually, their message became the focus of the very demanding Jewish legal/religious system. The people had heard their words and, as a nation, adopted the law. But, they had completely missed the message…they got the “rhema” but missed the “logos.”

Jesus (His teaching/death/resurrection) is the pure message that God always aimed to communicate. Read these passages to fill in the table.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word [logos], and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. 2 The Word was with God in the beginning...14 Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw His glory—the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father. (NET)

Our Equipping

Looking at the life of Jesus (in the table above), what can we infer about the message… Specifically, what does it tell us about the nature of God? What does it reveal about His heart?