Key Text: “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.” (John 1:14, NKJV)
Heart Questions: What is the main point of the Scripture? Why is Jesus said to be ‘the Word’ of God? Why should we believe in Jesus Christ?
In Hebrews 8:1, the Holy Spirit points us to Jesus Christ, who is the ‘kephalaion’ – (the head, the principal, the main point of the Scriptures). In John 1:1 we read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
The term translated “Word” is logos, which basically means “a person’s speech,” or “the expression of a thought.” Logos conveys the rational principle that governs the universe, even the creative energy that generated the universe. “In the Hebrew language of the Old Testament, “the Word” is described as an agent of creation (Psalm 33:6), the source of God’s message to his people through the prophets (Hosea 1:2), and God’s law, his standard of holiness (Psalm 119:11).” –[Bruce B. Barton, John, Life Application Bible Commentary, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1993), 2–3].
Logos can be thought of as the total message of God to man (Acts 11:1; 1 Thess. 2:13). Jesus embodied that total message, and that is why He is called the “Logos,” or “Word,” of God (Col. 1:19; 2:9). What I want to do in this Lesson is to show how Jesus Christ is revealed in the 66 Books of the Bible:
From the very beginning (in Genesis), Moses identified Christ as the Seed of the Woman. Messiah would be born of the seed of a woman (Gen 3:15, Luke 1:34-35); He would be a descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Gen 12:3, 17:19, 28:14, Luke 3:23-34); He would be a king in the line of Judah (Gen 49:10, Jn. 1:49). Christ was typified in the person of Melchizedek (Gen 14:18); He was typified in the life of Isaac - the sacrificed son (Gen 22); then in the life of Joseph - the rejected brother (Gen 37).
In Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb (Ex 12, Jn. 1:29, 36), typified in the life of Moses, the deliverer. He is the Manna from Heaven (Ex 16, Jn. 6). He is the Rock struck at Horeb (Ex 17, 1 Cor 10:4). He is the Sanctuary (the Altar, the Basin, the Lampstand, the Table of Showbread, the Incense, the Ark of the Covenant).
In Leviticus, He is our High Priest –typified in the sacrifices and offerings (Lev 1-7, 16, 23). In Deuteronomy, He is a Prophet like Moses. It was prophesied that Messiah would be a prophet (Deut. 18:15-19, Jn. 6:14); He would be worshipped by angels (Deut. 32:43, Luke 2:13-14). He was typified in the cities of refuge (Deut. 4:41).
In Joshua, Christ was typified in the person of Joshua (Israel’s leader into the promised land); as the Commander of the Army (Josh 5:13-15). Joshua says that He is the “Captain of Our Salvation” – He is our archegos (Heb. 2:10) - the Pathfinder, the Leader, ‘the Author and Finisher of our salvation’ (Heb 12:1-2) who has gone before us.
In Judges, Christ is the Judge and Lawgiver. The Book of Judges presents a cycle of sin and salvation that becomes a pattern for God's people. Whenever Israel rebelled God left them to the oppressors, but whenever they repented, He would raise them a judge (and they would be peace in the land). By the way, because Jesus Christ is both God and man, He is the perfect Judge of mankind. His judgment will be fair and perfectly just and not subject to appeal (Acts 17:31).
In Ruth, He is the Kinsman Redeemer. Messiah would be a descendant of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:12-17). He was typified in the life of Boaz - The Kinsman Redeemer (Ruth 2:1)
In 1 and 2 Samuel, He is the Prophet of the LORD. He was typified in the life of David - The King in Exile (1 Sam 22); then in the life of Jonathon - the Faithful Friend (1 Sam 18:1-4). It was prophesied that Messiah would be exalted by God with power (1 Sam 2:10, Matt 28:18); be a descendant of David (2 Sam 7:12-16, Matt 1:1); and be the Rock (2 Sam 23:2-3, 1 Cor 10:4).
In 1 and 2 Kings. He is the Reigning King, typified in the life of Solomon (the Millennial Reign); In the life and miracles of the prophet Elisha. For example: multiplying bread, (2 Kings 4:42); healing Naaman, the leper (2 Kings 5).
In 1 and 2 Chronicles, He is the Glorious Temple. Typified in Solomon's temple; and also in the Wisdom of Solomon (2 Chron 9:22).
In Ezra, He is the Faithful Scribe - typified in person of Zerubbabel, the rebuilder of the temple (Ezra 4). In Nehemiah, He is the Rebuilder of the Walls- typified in the person of Nehemiah , the rebuilder of the walls of salvation.
In Esther, He is our Mordecai. Can Esther, the only book of the Bible that doesn't mention God by name, tell us anything about Jesus? How is Christ our Mordecai? Who was Mordecai anyway? Mordecai was Esther's adoptive father, mentor, confidante, and fellow leader to stand for the rights of their Jewish community (Esther 2:7). He was very instrumental in ensuring the safety of not only Esther and the Jewish people, but of also exposing treachery in the kingdom of her husband, King Ahasuerus.
God put Esther and Mordecai just where they needed to be, at the right time, to bring about His salvation. We likewise, under the rule of sin, the odds were stacked against us. The humanity’s only hope was that God would somehow provide for their deliverance. Beloved, that is exactly what God has done through Jesus Christ. Christ is our Mordecai!
In Job, He is the Dayspring from on High - typified in the sufferings of Job and the blessings that would follow. Note: The story of Job is not meant to give us a specific reason for his suffering. Instead, Job points us to the Person who suffered perfectly on our behalf. Job was a type of Christ – He is described as God’s servant; He was a righteous man; Job intensely suffered (Job 30:16-18, 27-30) just like Jesus; Both Job and Jesus fought a spiritual battle (Job 9:21; 10:1 cf. Lk 22:41-44); Both Job and Jesus were restored (Job 42:10-17; Phil. 2:9-10). Job interceded for his friends, but Jesus saves his enemies. In the end, Job is convinced, saying – “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth” (Job 19:25). Beloved, that Redeemer, is none other than the Lord, Jesus Christ. What Job is saying is this: one day Christ, the just Judge, will vindicate him (Jn 5:22-23, 24, 25-28, 29; cf. Jude 14-15).
In Psalms, Jesus Christ is the Lord my Shepherd! It is recorded that Messiah would be the Son of God (Ps 2:7, 12, Matt 17:5); Be resurrected (Ps 16:8-10, Acts 13:30-37); Be despised and crucified (Ps 22:6-8, 14, Luke 23:21-23, Matt 27:35); Be hated without cause (Ps 69:4, Luke 23:13-22); Be LORD, seated at the Right Hand of God (Ps 110:1,5, 1 Pet 3:21-22); Be in the line of Melchizedek (Ps 110:4, Heb 6:17-20); Be the 'Stone' rejected by the Jews (Ps 118:22, Matt 21:42-43). Note: Key Messianic Psalms: Read Ps. 2, 8, 16, 22, 45, 69, 89, 109, 110, 118.
In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, He is the Wisdom of God. Messiah would be from everlasting (Prov 8:22-23, Jn. 17:5); Messiah would be the Son of God (Prov 30:4, Matt 3:16-17) -typified in the Wisdom of God (Prov 8:22-31).
In Song of Solomon, He is the Lover and Bridegroom -typified in the Bridegroom's love for, and marriage to, the Bride.
In Isaiah, He is the Suffering Servant. I call Isaiah “the Gospel in the OT.” Isaiah was written about 700 years before the Christ event, and everything that was prophesied concerning Him came to pass with precise accuracy! Let us consider just a few: Messiah would be born of a virgin (Is 7:14, Lk 1:34-35); Messiah would be Immanuel "God with us" (Is 7:14, Mt1:21-23); Messiah would be God and Man (Is 9:6, Jn. 10:30); Messiah would have the 7-fold Spirit upon Him (Is 11:1-2, Mt 3:16-17); Messiah would heal the blind, lame, deaf (Is 35:5-6, Mk 10:51-52); Messiah would be proceeded by a forerunner (Is 40:3, Lk 1:17); Messiah would be a light to the gentiles (Is 42:6, Jn. 8:12); Messiah would be despised by the Jewish nation (Is 49:7, Jn. 10:20, Mt 27:23); Messiah would be whipped and beaten (Is 50:6, Mt 26:67, 27:26); Messiah would die as a guilt offering for sin (Is 53:10, Jn. 18:11); Messiah would be resurrected and live forever (Is 53:10, Mk 16:16).
In Jeremiah and Lamentations, He is the Weeping Prophet. Messiah would be God (Jer. 23:6, Jn. 13:13); Messiah would be a righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5); Messiah would be our righteousness (Jer. 23:6, 1 Cor 1:30).
In Ezekiel, He is the Son of Man. Messiah would be a descendant of David (Ezk. 34:23-24, Matt 1:1). The title ‘Son of Man’ points to the humanity and servanthood of Christ, but also reflects Daniel’s vision of the son of man as a coming figure of judgment and authority (Dan. 7:13-14). In Ezekiel's vision (Ezek. 1:26-27; cf. Rev. 1:13-17) he sees first of all, the Son of Man, the Lord Jesus revealed as the heavenly God-Man, the divine One who would become a human being. Secondly, Jesus is revered in Ezekiel as the Good Shepherd. Thirdly, Jesus is represented in Ezekiel by the Glorious Temple. What will the Son of Man do to his people? -- “For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:24–27, NKJV) Beloved, this is a powerful image of the new life that God gives to his people when they come to him -through His Son, Jesus Christ- by faith.
In Daniel, as noted above, Christ is ‘One like the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven!’ Messiah was typified in the 4th man in the fiery furnace - one like 'the son of gods' (Dan 3:25). Messiah would be ' the Son of Man' given an everlasting kingdom (Dan 7:13-14, Lk 1:31-34). Messiah would come 483 years after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (Dan 9:25, Jn. 12:12-23). Messiah would be killed (Dan 9:26, Matt 27:35). Revealed as the 'Stone' whose kingdom will crush the kingdoms of the earth: “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.” (Daniel 2:44, NKJV)
In Hosea, He is the Bridegroom, typified in Hosea's faithfulness to his adulterous wife (Hos 3). In Joel, He is the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit. Messiah will offer salvation to all mankind (Joel 2:32, Rom 10:12-13). Messiah would baptize people with the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-32)
In Amos, He is the Burden Bearer. God would darken the day at noon during Messiah's death (Amos 8:9, Mt 27:45-46)
In Obadiah, He is the Mighty Savior. In Jonah, He is the Forgiving God. Typified in Jonah being 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of a fish (Jon 1:17, Mt. 12:40)
In Micah, He is the Messenger with Beautiful Feet. Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Mic 5:2, Mt. 2:1-2); Messiah would be from everlasting (Mic 5:2, Rev:1-8).
In Nahum, He is the Avenger of God's Elect. In Habakkuk, He is the Great Evangelist, crying for revival. Messiah would come from Teman at His return, full of glory (Hab. 3:3). Typified in the life of Habakkuk (his intercession and prayer for his people)
In Zephaniah, He is the Restorer of the Remnant. In Haggai, He is the Cleansing Fountain. Messiah would visit the 2nd temple (Hag 2:6-9, Lk 2:27-32) In Zechariah, He is the Pierced Son. Messiah would be Priest and King (Zech. 6:12-13, Heb 8:1). Messiah would be ride into Jerusalem on a donkey (Zech. 9:9, Mt 21:6-9). Messiah would be God (Zech. 11:12-13, Jn. 12:45). Messiah would be pierced (Zech. 12:10, Jn. 19:34-37)
In Malachi, He is the Son of Righteousness. Messiah would appear at the temple (Mal 3:1, Mk 11:15-16). Messiah's forerunner would come in the spirit of Elijah (Mt. 4:5, Mt. 3:1-2)
In Matthew, He is the Messiah, the Son of David (Mt 1:1); The King of the Jews (Mt 2:2); The Son of God (Mt 2:15); The Bridegroom (Mt 9:15)
In Mark, He is the Miracle Worker. The Holy One of God (Mk 1:24); The Servant (Mk 10:45); The King of Israel (Mk 15:32)
In Luke, He is the Son of Man. The Horn of Salvation (Lk 1:69); The Consolation of Israel (Lk 2:25).
In John, He is the Son of God -- the Only Begotten Son: (Jn. 1:14, 18); The Lamb of God (Jn. 1:29,36); The Bread of life (Jn. 6:35); The Light of the World (Jn. 8:1); The I AM! (Jn. 8:58); The Door of the Sheep (Jn. 10:7,9); The Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:11); The Resurrection and life (Jn. 11:25); The Way, the Truth, the Life (Jn. 14:6); The True Vine (Jn. 15:1)
In Acts, He is the Ascended Lord. The Prince of Life (Acts 3:15); The Judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42); The Just One (Acts 7:52); The Hope of Israel (Acts 28:20)
In Romans, He is the Justifier. The Rock of Offense (Rom. 9:33); The Deliverer (Rom. 11:26); The Lord of the dead and the living (Romans 14:9); The Root of Jesse (Rom. 15:12).
In 1 and 2 Corinthians, He is the Last Adam. The First-fruits (1 Cor. 15:23); The Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45)
In Galatians, He is the One who sets us free. The Lord Jesus Christ (Gal 1:3)
In Ephesians, He is Christ of Riches. The Head over All Things (Eph. 1:22); The Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20).
In Philippians, He is God who meets our every need. The Name above all names (Philp. 2:9)
In Colossians, He is the Fullness of the Godhead. The Image of the Invisible God (Col. 1:15); The Head of the body (Col. 1:18); The Beginning (Col. 1:18); The Firstborn from the dead (Col. 1:18); The Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27).
In 1 and 2 Thessalonians, He is the Soon Coming King. The Lord of Peace (2 Thess. 3:16) 1 and 2 Timothy, He is the Mediator between God and Man. The King of Ages (1 Tim. 1:17); The Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5)
In Titus, He is the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13); The Great God and Saviour (Titus 2:13)
In Philemon, He is a Friend, Closer than a Brother. The Lord Jesus Christ (Philemon 3)
In Hebrews, He is the Blood that washes away my Sins. The Heir of All Things (Heb. 1:2); The Faithful High Priest (Heb. 2:17); The Author and Finisher of our Faith (Heb. 12:2)
In James, He is the Great Physician. The Lord of Glory (James 2:1); The Judge at the door (James 5:9)
In 1 and 2 Peter, He is the Chief Shepherd. The Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4) The Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4)
In 1 and 2 and 3 John, He is the Everlasting Love. The Eternal Life (1 Jn. 1:2); The Righteous (1 Jn. 2:1)
In Jude, He is the God our Saviour. The only wise God our Saviour (Jude 25).
In Revelation, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! The Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, (Rev. 1:17, 22:13); The Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5); The Word of God (Rev. 19:13); The King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16); The Bright Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)
Devotional Implication: And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27) – “Christ in His teaching presented old truths of which He Himself was the originator, truths which He had spoken through patriarchs and prophets; but He now shed upon them a new light.” – (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 127).
Beloved, Jesus Christ is indeed the ‘Word of God,’ the central message, the focus of the Bible. God is the originator and communicator of this Word. God has been speaking to human family since the beginning: He speaks through His creation (Psa. 19:1), through ancient prophets (Hos. 12:10; Heb. 1:1), through the Holy Spirit (Jn. 16:13; Acts 16:6), through Scripture (Heb. 4:12), But above all, “in these last days,” God has spoken to us by His Son, meaning, through the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ (Heb 1:2; Jn. 14:9).
Jesus Christ is indeed the Word of God. He is the Word of Life. For “in Him was life, and the Life was the light of men” (Jn 1:4). His words were filled with power! You see, all of four Gospels talks about The Power of Christ’s Teachings that all the people were coming to Him -- “And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching,” (Mt. 7:28). Jesus became the center of attraction to that vast throng, and they came to listen to His wondrous Words of Life. His words showed a knowledge of the Laws and the institutions of Israel.
His words showed a knowledge of the Sacrificial Service and the Teachings of the Prophets of Old. His words were full of knowledge and wisdom, far exceeding that of the Priests, Rabbis, and Doctors of the Law. His words broke through the barriers of formalism and tradition.
In His Teachings and in His Words, the scenes of the future life seemed outspread before Him. As One who beheld the Unseen, He spoke of the Earthly and the Heavenly, the Human and the Divine, with positive and full authority. And in this particular gathering (The Festival of Tabernacle) His voice was no different, than all previous meetings. His words were most Clear and Convincing, (just like at Capernaum), The People were astonished at His Teaching; "For his Word was with power." (Lk 4:32).
Everybody was amazed and wondered at His knowledge of the Law and the Prophecies; and as Jesus spoke in the temple court, the people were captivated with His Teachings. Can you imagine, the question being wisped among Jews, and passed from one to another, saying, -- “How is it that this Man has learning [is so versed in the sacred Scriptures and in theology] when He has never studied?” (John 7:15, AMP)
Why are they asking such question? Because no one was regarded as qualified to be a religious teacher unless he had studied in the rabbinical schools. What they missed is that Christ was the Logos, the divine Word, the divine Teacher. Today, Christ Words still have power to create, recreate (the new birth), and to “save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25, NKJV). Amen.
The Gospel’s Voice: What does the LORD say to me today? – My son, Jesus Christ is indeed the Word of Life. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the living Word. He is the thread woven through all the Scriptures, the central theme that binds all Scriptures together. Following Jesus and obeying His word amounts to much blessings- eternal life! Disbelieving Jesus and His Word culminates in eternal condemnation. Will you decide on this day to obey Christ –(repent your sins, believe in Jesus, and obey His instructions)? Will you accept the Bible as My holy Word and start implementing what is written therein? Do you want to be blessed today? “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3, NKJV)
Exhortation: “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24–25, NKJV)
Benediction: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14, NKJV)
Closing Hymn: (SDAH 286)
“Sing them over again to me, Wonderful words of life; Let me more of their beauty see, Wonderful words of life; Words of life and beauty; Teach me faith and duty.”
[Refrain] – “Beautiful words, Wonderful words; Wonderful words of life; Beautiful words, Wonderful words; Wonderful words of life.”