My Word

Day Three                     My Word                      Isaiah 40:1-8

We wait patiently for a baby’s first word. We listen, carefully, to every sound, trying to differentiate the childish babble from the syllables and consonants that will form the first meaningful interchange we will have with our child. Of course, that first word is often simply wishful thinking. “He said Da-Da” we say when, in reality, the little one is merely experimenting with sounds. And even when the long-expected moment finally arrives, Junior is probably only mimicking the noises he has heard. It takes time for a child to work out that sounds can represent things, or even people. Thus begins the life-long process of communication: we form a thought within us; it emerges as a product of our volition, our mouth, and our breath; we call the outcome ‘words’.

It doesn’t take long for us to work out that our words need not be real. Lying comes easily to us. We blame others for things that we have done, or have failed to do. We learn that words have power to influence others and that the inflection of the voice, or the inclination of the head, can make Daddy do things for us that Mommy never would. We learn that words can be used to manipulate. We recognize that words can be powerful weapons in the struggle to control. At times we guard our lips, keeping our words to ourselves; at other times we let our tongues have free rein, and usually live to regret it. Over the years our words tumble over themselves. We could never count them, let alone remember everything that we have ever said. In a very real sense, our words come to represent us. For good or ill they define us. We are lugubrious or taciturn, thoughtful or thoughtless, as a result of our words.

John tells us that the Word of God was there at the beginning of time. The Word was with God. The Word was God. Through that Word, light came into our world; darkness has not been able to overcome it. And, in these latter days, the Word has taken on human flesh and dwells among us. What does this mean?

To call Jesus “the Word” means several things, but it cannot mean any less than this – that God has expressed Himself in a unique way in the person of His Son. Just as our words are representative of who we are, even when we are less than honest, in the same way, God’s Word gives us a startling insight into the nature of the divine. There is no duplicity with God. He does not say one thing and mean another. He does not use calculated arguments to sway us. He simply reveals His nature and His name through an act of self-revelation that takes our breath away. All this, in the Word made flesh, in Jesus.

Lord God, I have heard that Your Word will endure forever, that even though people and plants may wither and die, Your Word will still be there when everything else has turned to dust. I have also heard that, by Your Word, You bring hope and healing. May that be true for me. May Your Word settle in my heart, until I am changed; in the name of Christ. Amen.