WORD

 

WORD

The Concept of the Logos

John’s Gospel begins by referring to Jesus as the Logos (LO-gos), translated as the “Word.” While "Logos" was a term in Greek philosophy, John's usage significantly differs from that understanding. Instead of denoting a rational principle or an impersonal force, John presents the Logos as the one who created the universe simply by speaking it into existence. While Hebrew prophets spoke God’s word, John emphasizes that Jesus embodies God’s dynamic, creative, and life-giving Word.

In John 1:14, it states, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” The phrase “made his dwelling” connects to the word for “tent” or “tabernacle,” reminding Jewish readers of the tent of meeting, where God’s glory resided before the construction of the temple in Jerusalem. Through his life, Jesus, the Word made flesh, allows us to perceive God’s glory. As the Logos, everything about Jesus—his teachings, miracles, suffering, death, and resurrection—reveals God to us.

Our response to Jesus, the Word, should be characterized by both faith and faithfulness, striving to reproduce Christ’s life so that His Word becomes flesh in us.

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Praying to the Word

I have always found the opening lines of John’s Gospel intriguing, but my understanding deepened as I explored the implications of calling Jesus the Word.

The initial verses of this Gospel connect Jesus with Genesis 1, where creation begins. Notably, Genesis doesn’t say God dreamed the world into being, thought it into existence, or conjured it. Instead, it states, “God said, ‘Let there be light!’ And there was light” (Genesis 1:3, emphasis added). This formula repeats throughout Genesis—God speaks, and creation occurs: light, water, land, seed-bearing plants, fruit-bearing trees, stars, sea creatures, birds, people, and animals all came into being through His spoken word.

When we look at the impact of Jesus' words, we see similar power:

• Matthew 8:26: “Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”
• Matthew 9:6-7: “Then he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Get up, pick up your stretcher, and go home.’ So the man got up and went home.”
• Mark 1:25-26: “Jesus ordered the spirit, ‘Keep quiet, and come out of him!’ The evil spirit threw the man into convulsions and came out of him with a loud shriek.”
• Luke 8:54-55: “Jesus took her hand and called out, ‘Child, get up!’ She came back to life and got up at once.”

Again and again, Jesus speaks, and things happen: storms calm, the lame walk, demons flee, and the dead rise. This clearly illustrates that God’s Word brings life. When sin marred the world, the Word became flesh to dwell among us and reshape creation, restoring it to God's original purpose.

What has Christ spoken to you lately? Perhaps, "Your sins are forgiven," "Sell your possessions and give to the poor," "Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows," or "Go and make disciples of all nations." Whatever it may be, let Christ's Word resonate within you, growing larger than the noise of distractions that threaten to drown out your faith. God is at work, re-creating you and the world through the power of the Word.

Lord, you are the Word calling out to us, healing our deafness and guiding us back to God. Open our ears and help us to listen. Reshape us according to your steadfast love and your creative, life-giving power.

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Promises Associated with the Name

“While Yeshua was speaking, a woman in the crowd shouted, ‘How blessed is the mother who gave birth to you and the breasts that nursed you.’ Yeshua replied, ‘Rather, how blessed are those who hear and obey God’s word.’” (Luke 11:27-28)

“Do what God’s word says. Don’t merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves. If someone listens to God’s word but doesn’t do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like. However, the person who continues to study God’s perfect laws that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don’t merely listen and forget; they actually do what God’s laws say.” (James 1:22-25)

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Reflection

The concept of the Word as the Logos emphasizes the power and authority of Jesus in creation and in our lives. By understanding Jesus as the Word, we acknowledge His active role in shaping the universe and our spiritual journey. This understanding invites us to respond in faith, allowing His words to transform us from within.

As we embrace the Word, we not only hear His teachings but also embody them, becoming reflections of Christ in the world. This active engagement with the Word empowers us to participate in God’s creative and redemptive work, fulfilling His purposes in our lives and the lives of those around us. Through the Word, we find hope, direction, and the promise of renewal, anchoring our lives in the eternal truth of Christ.