1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
In this first paragraph of John 1, Jesus is identified as “The Word”. The characteristics of “The Word” are as follows:
A) In the beginning “The Word” existed
B) “The Word” existed with God
C) “The Word” is God
D) All things were made through “The Word”.
E) Nothing was made without “The Word”.
F) In “The Word” is life.
(We will cover Light on Day 2)
Note: we are going over all the titles that identified Jesus in John 1 – today, wherever you see “The Word” exchange it with Jesus.
The Greek for “The Word” is “logos” and is used in the New Testament 330 times, but 7 of those times it refers to Jesus. Logos simply means word, but it is used several different ways as translated into English (saying, speech, account, etc.) As it refers to Jesus, think of Divine Expression. (Substitute “the Divine Expression” with “The Word” in points A-F above).
There are three Hebrew words that have been translated into English as “word.” Two of them are generally translated as commandment, but the third “peh” not only has commandment, but is tied closely to “mouth” or “blow” (think of the creation of Adam (Genesis 2:7 – note: the word “breath” is related to “divine inspiration”) or when Jesus breathed on the disciples (John 20:22) and told them to receive the Holy Spirit. And "peh" can also be used as "portion" (Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. - Psalm 119:57).
As you think about this title for Jesus, think about this very concise word study: Jesus is the Word: Divine Expression, commandment, divine inspiration, and portion. Do you see Jesus this way?
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