JESUS LIVING WORD

Many of you know we spend several weeks, a couple times a year, volunteering at The Voice of the Martyrs ministry headquarters in Oklahoma.  Besides reading the many stories of changed hearts and lives we are privileged to meet those who share the WORD at great risk to their own lives and families as well.  They share Jesus’ love by sharing His WORD and as a living testimony. I challenge you to do the same, daily!

Most of us cannot live without words??  Sometimes they are soothing and sometimes hurtful, but also very important in our swaying opinions; check out ads, billboards, pastors, politicians, musicians, media!!!  Many of us treasure the words of great  writers,  BUT none can compare with the lasting Words of Scripture.  Our English language is beautiful, but often uses single words that have multiple meanings:  ‘WORD’, ‘LOVE’ are such words.

 Our New Testament was written mainly in Greek, which had different words for different meanings of these words. Here are two meanings I want to share.  I wish I could share all that my Jewish New Testament Commentary offers as supporting the Hebrew Genesis 1:1 and 26 with Greek John 1:1 and then Rev 19:13b :  “… His name is The Word of God.”

1.     1.   Logos  - indicates thought, expression, the embodiment of an idea: “In the beginning was the ‘Logos’” (John 1:1).

Here is a  quote from Stern’s Jewish New Testament Commentary on John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”:  “It is not that a man named Yeshua, who grew up in Nazareth, one day decided he was God.  Rather the Word,”… who was with God and was God,” gave up the glory {he} had with {the Father} before the world existed” (John 17:5) and emptied Himself in that he took the form of a slave, by becoming like human beings are.  WOW!! He did that for you and me! 

2.       2. Rhema - indicates ‘utterance by human voice’ according to Strong’s Concordance #4487.  It is so important that we ‘read the Red ’ in Scripture, the words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.   (Can you imagine what would have happened in Bethany if Jesus had only said ‘Com e forth’ and not used Nazareth’s name?)

Christ was God become visible.  In John 1:1 we have the truth about the ‘WORD’.  (I don’t remember where I learned this outline of this verse, but I share these points with you):

1. His eternity   -“In the beginning”

                        2. Fellowship with Godhead – “with God”

                        3. Deity – “was God”

                        4. Work of Creation… “All things made by him”

                        5. Marvelous incarnation – “was made flesh”

The Old Testament is full of ‘God said’; He spoke directly to the prophets ;  the New Testament reveals His  ultimate means of communication, His Son, Jesus –“ a new and LIVING way” (Heb 10:20). The Cross was the Bulletin Board on which God proclaimed to the world his amnesty  for rebellious sinners – Jesus God’s full revelation of His WORD. (Portraits of Christ by Henry Gariepy).

One more thing:  Jesus IS speaking today in visions and dreams to many who are seeking Him – especially those living in darkness and  in Hostile Nations where His Name is not allowed to be read or spoken.   When they accept Christ as Savior and learn of His love, they share with others in word and deed and suffer much for His name’s sake… and the WORD is being spread.    (If you are interested in more about this go to www.persecution.com.  Or contact me.)

Sooooo…… what does this mean for you and me?  God always reveals Himself to seekers.  Jesus, in the beginning with Father, is the most compelling revelation of our Father in Heaven. The Apostle John saw this with such vision and impact that He used the word ‘Logos’ for Jesus/ God who spoke the universe into being  Jesus is God’s dynamic life-giving Word; The Word who became flesh that through His teaching, miracles, death, resurrection, humanity could see God’s glory.

Jesus calls each of us to walk in Him who is Light and Life; to Be Light and life to others. Most of us do not hear His audible voice, but listen carefully – listen carefully, expectantly as you study, memorize and share the Rhema Word and pray.  Be nourished in mind and heart.  This is the way God converses with most of us.  It is important to pray using His Words.  I believe God smiles when we pray in Jesus’ Name using His inspired WORD.

Thomas Dubay,   The Evidential Power of Beauty

The Lord speaks in diverse ways: his deeds are words as in the creation account we read, “He spoke and so it came to be.” He speaks in the splendors of the universe and through all within it.  He teaches in human language and especially in the words of his incarnate Word… But in all these manners the Lord is communication through the beautiful, the true and the good.