The Word

ByCarolyn E. Jacobs

This week’s name, The Word, is so much more than a name. It’s the very essence of Jesus.

John tells us about this Word.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. -John 1:1-3

The Word was God. How can God Incarnate be The Word? Ya got me. I mean, I love words, but the dictionary isn’t God. So what does this mean?

Let’s get rid of the pronouns in John 1:1-3.

In the beginning was the Word.

The Word was with God.

The Word was God.

The Word was in the beginning with God.

All things came into being through the Word, and apart from the Word, not even one thing came into being that has come into being.

Does this tickle your memory? How about Colossians 1?

He (Jesus, aka The Word) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. – Colossians 1:15-16

I really want to go down a rabbit hole here with Colossians 1:17, but I’ll be satisfied with a link. If you’re interested, jump right on down this rabbit hole.

But this post concerns the Word, the one who brought all things – everything in the heavens and on the earth, visible and invisible – into being.

Which brings us to Genesis.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3

We looked at this passage back in January. Elohim spoke the Word and brought all space, time, and matter into existence.

That’s more than I can wrap my finite, 3D brain around. It reminds of the old gag, “You wanna buy a watch?”

But instead of Jesus wearing a trench coat concealing watches, the trench coat opens up to reveal words. Verses. The words of life.

How is Jesus the Word? It’s a divine and beautiful mystery.

 

 

This blog series is inspired by Ann Spangler’s Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks.

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