Jesus – The Word of God

John 1 says, “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by 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.

We know that God gave Moses His Word.  We know that word is perfect and came to bring the light of life to all mankind.  Scripture says that Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).  God entrusted His precious Son to Mary and Joseph who raised him in the truest tradition of a rabbi.  By His teachings we know that Jesus was very much in agreement with rabbi Hillel who taught a doctrine of mercy and grace over the legalism of Rabbi Schmai who led the majority in the Sanhedrin, the ruling party of the priesthood.  What we should consider is that Christ was the whole Word of God.  He was not that portion that might fit within the mind of a man.  He was God’s Word, stripped of the glory that would have turned all men to ash perhaps, but His ENTIRE Word nonetheless. 

Teaching Jesus must have been a real blessing.  His Spirit would always agree with whatever teaching his natural mind received if it came from the Torah.  My point today is to be aware how much Jesus knew of everyone He came in contact with.  God’s Word knows about you.  His scripture is not a flawed work of men but a perfect work of God.  When His Word became flesh and dwelt with us for a season, it was not a cut down partial version of His Word.  Colossians 2:9 says that, “In Him dwelleth all the godhead bodily.” 

1 Corinthians 2:11 says that the only thing that understands the things of a man is the spirit of that man and the only thing that understands the things of God is the Spirit of God.  Jesus had God’s spirit in full measure and understood the things of God in full measure.  He was as full of the Spirit of God at twelve as at thirty three.  In Luke 18:31, Jesus told His disciples, “Behold, we go to Jerusalem.”  His reason was so that all things spoken by the prophets be accomplished.  Decades earlier He had been in Jerusalem as a small child and amazed the doctors of scripture with His knowledge.  What they could not understand at that time is that Jesus was scripture made alive.  He knew scripture because He was scripture.

Luke 2:43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

Jesus’ response when asked why He had so badly frightened His parents was, “how could you not know I must be about my Father’s business.”  Even though He returned home with them and submitted Himself to them, His mother kept all of His sayings in her heart.  She knew He was not an ordinary child and strove to walk properly before God in Jesus’ upbringing. 

My point in all of this is that if we do not hold God’s Word in proper awe and reverence, we will fail to trust God when He sends us forth.  Our Lord’s own parents had little understanding of true His future.  All the prophecies, all the signs of a child with His knowledge and understanding did not prevent them from having doubts from time to time that God would put it all together properly. 

We have a more sure salvation and relationship than the parents of Jesus.  In spite of the honor of raising our Lord, they were still under the law; Joseph until the day he died and Mary until her conversion after Jesus was crucified.  Jesus walked in all the fullness of God from his birth.  We walk in all the fullness of God from our new birth.  If we fail it is because we have not stood in the promises of His Word, of His Spirit, of His Father and of His death and resurrection.

The word used in verse 47 above for astonished is existemi.  It means that they were so astonished by his words and understanding that it rocked their entire universe to the core.  Even at the age of twelve, He was aware enough of His Father’s truths that he could shock these elderly doctor’s of the law to their core.  These men were the most learned and wise in Jerusalem at the time of Christ.  What he revealed to them must have felt like God Himself sitting in their midst answering their deepest questions and revealing truths that had been hidden for centuries. 

It’s a wonder they didn’t try to keep him in the temple like Samuel as a child (1 Samuel 1:20-22).

After this point, Jesus went home and though his parents continued to bring Him to Jerusalem each year he submitted Himself to them until the time appointed.  Having known and understood the leading of God’s Spirit for many years, I cannot imagine what it would have been like for the Son of God to wait patiently for His time to come.  I am reminded of Jeremiah who said, “It is like a burning fire, shut up in my bones! (Jeremiah 20:9).”

Jesus came for all mankind.  I am never surprised at the number of gods and deities we humans manage to invent for ourselves.  We are generally a superstitious lot and desperately need something to believe in.  There is a reason for that; God built it into us.  We need to believe as much as we need to breathe.  God is far more brilliant than any mere mortal.  He has all the benefits of infinite lifespan, infinite intellect and infinite power.  His desire is to be loved by mankind as He Himself loves mankind.  It would have been a simple thing to make us obedient slaves, but that was not His purpose.  God is willing to endure our abuses and insults for the sake of those who willingly serve and love Him. 

This is the grace of God. 

One day, when the counter ticks over to the final soul saved in this season of grace, God will punish those who refused His Son’s sacrifice and cleanse the Earth of disobedience.  As it says in Revelation 2:20, “Even so, come Lord Jesus!”

What must you do to be saved?  You need to believe these scriptures:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 10:8 … The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Then you must pray out loud:

“Father,

I believe that you sent your son to be born of a virgin, born without sin.  I believe that he grew to adulthood on Earth and when he was the proper age he gave his life for mankind.  I believe that he shed his blood for the forgiveness of the sins of mankind.  Your Word says that if I confess with my mouth that Jesus is the Son of God and believe that you raised Him from the dead I will be saved from my sins.  Father, I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and ask Him to dwell in my heart and cleanse me from all my sins.  I pray you will take charge of my life and that you and Jesus will be the Lord of my life.

I pray in Jesus’ name. 

Amen.”