Your Bible is a Love Letter from Jesus: The Logos
John 1:1
Your Bible is more than just words on a page; it's a love letter, deeply personal and poignant. What you believe about your Bible will determine your relationship with it and the course of your life. Dr. Andrew Newberg's insights into neuroscience tell us that our beliefs significantly influence our brain functions, which in turn shapes our actions. Essentially, our beliefs about the Bible sculpt our journey through life.
Jessica's Letter From Her Father
When my wife Jessica bravely decided to enlist in the army, she wasn't just stepping into the demanding world of the military; she was carving a path as the first female in a combat arms role in the legendary 101st Airborne Division. The journey wasn't easy. Raised in a quiet non-military family, Jessica's new reality of stern drill sergeants and their relentless discipline was a stark contrast. The rigorous training, the physical challenges, and the sheer weight of her unique position bore down on her.
Yet, amid this demanding scenario, a singular beacon of hope and strength shone brightly for Jessica—a heartfelt letter from her father. This wasn't just ink on paper. It was a reflection of their special bond, a reservoir of love, faith, and encouragement. Throughout her training, Jessica carried that cherished letter, often seeking solace in its words, reminding her of the world where love, respect, and support awaited. For Jessica, her father's letter became like what the Bible says about itself: the Logos, from the beginning, is the words of Jesus, writing to display God’s love for you. (John 1:1, John 3:16, Romans 5:8-10)
A Letter from Your Father: The Word Was With God, The Word Was God (Jn 1:1)
Who a letter is from gives that letter more weight and meaning in your heart. Let’s take a deep dive into a foundational teaching that carries the weight of revelation so profound it can transform our very understanding of who Jesus is and our Bible. The beginning verses of the book of John, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” shed light on a truth that's both intricate and essential: Jesus is God, and Jesus is the word of God. The two are inseparably linked. Jesus is this living Word from our Father.
Now, when John says, "In the beginning," it's a callback to Genesis 1:1, driving home the point of Jesus's existence before everything we know. This isn’t just John throwing words onto paper; this is him giving us the genealogy of Jesus's godliness. Before there was a sun in the sky or stars to light up the night, there was Jesus. There was God. And as we see, they are one and the same.
Have you ever thought about the title "Word of God" and its gravity? This isn't just some title; it's an affirmation. In Revelation 19, when He returns in splendor, He's recognized by this title. And then John gives it to us straight in 1:14: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." Think about that. The divine became human, not forfeiting an ounce of His godliness.
Now, here's where some folks get a bit twisted in their understanding. Is Jesus just a moral guide or is He truly God? C.S. Lewis captured this perfectly. If you're saying Jesus is just a good teacher but not God, then you've missed the point. He’s either God or He’s not. There's no middle ground.
Throughout John's account, Jesus doesn't beat around the bush. He makes it crystal clear. When He says "I am," He’s invoking God's very name from the burning bush. He's telling us, in no uncertain terms, that He is the full revelation of God. There's no wiggle room here.
So why is John telling us all this? He sums it up beautifully in John 20:31: “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing, you may have life in his name.” As believers, when we grasp this, everything changes. Behind every promise, every assurance in this Bible, is the voice of our eternal Father speaking to us. This isn't just a book; it's a letter from your Father, the Word, who is with God and who is God.
What's With the Word, Word?
Okay, let's get into the thick of it and discuss the word "Word." And yes, you read that right. We're talking about the word "Word." Intriguing, right? The Bible throws it around quite a bit, and it might seem confusing, especially when we're navigating through scriptures like Revelation that proclaim, "He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood by the Name, which is called the Word of God."
John, too, in his opening verses, keeps emphasizing "Word." He says, "In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God. The Word was God." And the word-fest doesn't stop there. He tells us, "the Word became flesh." So, what’s up with all this "Word" business?
When you hear the word "Word" in daily conversation, what comes to mind? If I throw the challenge of defining the word "Word" without using "word," how would you fare? Maybe something like a group of letters with a meaning? Bingo! That's English for you. But, in the Bible, it’s not that straightforward. When we stumble upon "Word" in the scriptures, it's not merely letters; it's a whole narrative, an entire message, the whole shebang – it's like a jigsaw of words carrying the grand idea.
Our modern understanding limits the word "Word" to a simple definition, but the Biblical one takes it to a different height. In the Bible, "Word" becomes the embodiment of thought, expression, and God’s message. It’s His humor, character, essence - all rolled into one.
And now, a bit of language trivia. In Greek, this "Word" is termed as "logos." And if you've been around church circles long enough, you’ve probably heard scholars dropping names like Philo and Heraclitus while discussing the philosophy of "logos." We'll delve deeper into those discussions in future sessions. But for now, let’s tether our understanding to the Biblical lens. In Hebrew, the equivalent is "devar." So, whether it's "devar" in Hebrew or "logos" in Greek, both converge to mean the "Word" – God's divine message.
Your Bible, whether Old Testament or New Testament, remains consistent in using "Word" to signify God's thoughts and ideas. Like in Psalm 33:6, "By the Word of the Lord, the heavens were made." This consistency is awe-inspiring. And might I dare say, replace "Word" with Jesus? It's intriguing to think that by Jesus, the heavens were created. That same Jesus who later came to earth and was crucified for us.
If we venture into the Old Testament, we're bound to trip on "Word" hundreds of times, especially in contexts where it points towards God. One could speculate, every time prophets received the "devar" or "logos," was it Jesus reaching out? After all, didn't Jesus himself say, "Abraham saw my day and rejoiced"? I'm placing my bet on it being Jesus all the way. From the first book to the last, it's all about Him. His teachings, his essence, the red letters, and beyond.
In Matthew 5:17-18, Jesus himself clears the air. He asserts he didn't come to do away with the old teachings but to fulfill them. He emphasizes that the Scriptures are a testament to Him. And for those who brand me a "Bible worshiper," here's a nugget: God elevates His name and His word above everything else. Psalm 138:2 tells us, "You have exalted above all things your name and your word." This priority of His Word, which is so intertwined with Jesus, should resonate in our lives.
To wrap it up, every page, every line of the Bible, is a love letter from Jesus. Not just the Gospels or the Epistles but the whole lot. It’s God’s word, His divine message. John relates the davar/logos to Jesus, he is the Word of God. That means when you read your Bible, it’s all Jesus communicating to your. Jesus declares to the religious leaders, “you search the scripture for salvation…and its all about ME”.
Your Bible: Not Just Words, It's a Love Affair
Is your Bible just an academic and doctrinal resource? No! It’s a Love letter from Jesus, put it in your heart, and practically use it in different ways. Use it in song, use it in story, use it in study, use it in doctrine, use it as a source of power, laugh with it, love it, dive into t for all of your needs, wants, desires, hopes and dreams.
Believe in the “Word” : What you believe about your Bible will determine your relationship with it. It's God's heart-to-heart chat, speaking directly to us. From Genesis, to the prophets, to the Epistles to Revelation, It’s Jesus writing you a love letter.
Life, Emotions & the Bible’s Role: Do you have raw emotions and past wounds? Remember Jessica's story – that letter from her dad she kept close during basic training? Your Bible is like that letter it’s that deep emotional connection from Jesus to you. Draw upon it, drink deep, put it in your picket under your body armor and press into the challenges of life drawing upon its passion and power.
Beyond Academics and Doctrine: Yes, we Baptists cherish our study sessions. But it’s essential we also cultivate a deep-seated love affair with the Scripture. Not just understanding it, but allowing it to transform our hearts. When you’re in love, that relationship transforms you. Your kids, your marriage, close friends, all of those relationships transform you through conversation and journeying together. This is what your relationship with the scripture should be like.
The Personality of God: The Bible gives us insight into the personality of God. His humor, his mourning, his passion, his holiness, all of Him is in those pages. Did you ever burst into laughter while tuning into the Proverbs, have you cried with the narrative of Lazarus, have you Journeyed with Paul in church planting? Reading your Bible is sometimes like sharing an inside joke with the Almighty or having coffee and sharing a story among friends. Enjoy “the word” as you would a cherished relationship.
Pray the Word, Every Day: Here's a gem from Pastor Landon Meadow: "If you really want to pray, echo God's word back to him." Dive in, immerse yourself. Feel Jesus on every page.
The Heart of the Matter: The Bible isn't just a collection of pages. It's a love letter from Jesus. So, do you truly believe in its essence? If yes, immerse yourself, feel its pulse.
