The gospel of John is a unique book when it comes to identifying the spiritual identity of Jesus Christ. The book of John clearly states that Jesus is God, and he has always been God. One of the most interesting concepts about Jesus in this book is how it begins. It starts by noting, in the beginning, was the word, and later on, notes that the word became flesh and dwelt amongst us. According to the New Testament, Jesus is the word that became flesh (human being) and dwelt amongst us. However, what many Christians seek to know is; why is Jesus called the word?
Though the Bible does not mention why Jesus is called the world, several verses in the scripture give us reasons why he was identified as the word. Jesus is called the word because he not only embodied the word of God but lived the word of God. Jesus never went against God’s will, as he himself noted that he came to fulfill God’s will on earth. He also noted that he does not speak what is his but relays God’s message as he who is him guides him on what to say and do. Jesus Christ personified the wisdom of God and wisdom in the world.
So, why is Jesus given the title of the word? When did Jesus become the word? What does it mean that Jesus is the word? What is the significance of Jesus as the word? What does it mean that Jesus is the word that became flesh? What are some Bible verses about Jesus as the word? Keep reading to get more insight and answers to these questions and more.
Why is Jesus given the title the word?
There is no definite reason why Jesus is given the title the world because the Bible does not mention any. However, the scripture indicates that Jesus is given the term the word because he relayed God’s communication to humanity directly. His presence on earth was also a fulfillment of the word of God through the prophets. As stated earlier, Jesus himself noted that he does not speak what is his. Still, he only tells us what the Father instructs him to do (John 14:10). Therefore, we can conclude that he is given the title ‘the word’ because he is God and relayed God’s message to us directly.
When did Jesus become the word?
It is clear in the book of John that Jesus became the word from the beginning. He existed even before we did, even before the universe did. John 1:1-3 says, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. He was at the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him, nothing was made that was made.” Jesus is the word that existed in the Garden of Eden during the creation of the earth and heavens. He is God, meaning he is the alpha and the Omega.
What does it mean that Jesus is the word?
Jesus being the word means that Jesus embodied the word of God perfectly. It means that the prophecies about the Messiah in the Old Testament came to life through Jesus’ birth and existence. The prophecies were the word of God, making Jesus the word. Through Jesus, we learn of God’s will, as he said that no one could go to the Father except through him. Therefore, everything we need in the word we get is in Christ. And the scripture even says that those who believe in Jesus Christ must walk like he did, meaning they must embody the word of God.
What is the significance of Jesus as the word?
To know the significance of Jesus as the word, we have to understand the reason why John wrote the gospel of John. He says in the book of John 20:30-31, “Many other signs; therefore, Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.” Therefore, John refers to Jesus as the word to give us an insight into the identity of Jesus Christ spiritually. By him being the word, it means that it is through him that all things were created. By him being the word signifies his power and creator.
What does it mean that Jesus is the word that became flesh?
What it means that Jesus became the flesh and dwelt amongst us is that in he came to earth through a human body. Jesus Christ is wholly God and wholly man, and thus that means that he is both divine and man. However, to save us from our sins through crucifixion, he had to humble himself to the point of sin. He had to become flesh so God could use him to save his people. He who existed in the beginning during our creation became flesh (human beings) and dwelt amongst us.
Bible verses about Jesus as the word?
John 1:14 reads, “and the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the father, full of grace and truth.”
It is clear that the gospel of John refers to Jesus Christ when it says that the word became flesh and dwelt amongst us. The New Testament notes that to be saved, you must believe that Jesus Christ was in the flesh, died, and was resurrected. Therefore, Jesus is the word, as he notes that he is the truth.
John 14:10 says, “Do you not believe I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does the works.”
Throughout the time Christ was on earth, he acknowledged that he was here to fulfill the Father’s will, so he spoke his words. The Bible is basically the word of God, and that is what Christ embodied.
1st Corinthians 8:6 says, “Yet for us, there is one God, the father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and on Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.”
This verse clearly indicates that Christ is the word that was, in the beginning, the word through which the whole world was formed. The account of creation in the book of Genesis notes that God created the heavens and the earth through the words of his mouth, and the word was Christ.
Hebrews 1:3 says, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Jesus Christ is simply God. He says that he and the Father are one. Therefore, by his coming on the earth, he embodied the whole scripture and spoke to us the message from God directly. He conquered death and is seated on the right-hand side of the Father, and through him, we are not condemned for our sins.
References
Bible verses about Jesus Christ as the word of God
In the beginning, was the word
Why is Jesus called the word of God?
What does John 1:1, 14 mean when they declare that Jesus is the word of God?
Why does the Bible refer to Jesus as the word?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
