The Word of Christ

[Peter Parris]

One of the descriptive titles given to the Lord Jesus is "the Word."  The Apostle John, both in his Gospel and in the Revelation ascribes this name to Jesus, identifying Him with God and as being God.   When the time of significant types and shadows was complete, this Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  The Lord Jesus then authoritatively gives His spin, or interpretation of the law as opposed to perceived Rabbinical influence.

"You have heard it said...but I say unto you..." was an astonishing utterance.  Here He gives His word as the final authority.  His teaching, as the multitudes responded, was with authority like no one else.  In expanding the Gospel of the Kingdom to how kingdom living looked, He took that beyond outward observance to inward, heart attitude.  These things He said were His commandments, the sum of which were to be comprehensively gathered under the new commandment He gave for the new covenant He was inaugurating, "love one another as I have loved you."  Paul reiterates this when stating that love fulfills the law.

In John 12:48-50, Jesus tells us that He received commandment from the Father as to what to say and what to speak.  The words and the inflection of the voice perfectly relating the utterance.  This gave His words ultimate authority.  The Father Himself directs His disciples to listen to Jesus, and to hear Him.  Jesus repeatedly declares His words are to be obeyed, and by which we shall be judged, and they would not pass away.  Part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to bring to remembrance the things that Jesus said.  Although the James version of Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing the word of God, most, if not all of the other versions say, "the word of Christ."   The word of Christ was the word of God, but the emphasis is to listen to Christ.  We can understand why Paul says that we should let the word of Christ dwell in us richly.   Paul refers to the law of Christ both to the Corinthians and Galatians.   Isaiah's "Listen and live," are relevant for us who live by His word and hear His voice, especially as we can become dull of hearing.

Hearing and doing gives rock solid foundation to our character by transforming us to Him who is the Word.  Our spiritual sensitivity is enhanced as we exercise ourselves by reason of use.  Spiritual atrophy sets in as certainly as natural atrophy does when we stop using a faculty.   Being current with the word of Christ is essential for vital fellowship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Christ knocking at the door of His church is not relegated to the church at Laodicea.  The "if any man hear My voice," is a call that sounds out from Christ to His church today.  His sayings, His word, His voice, the voice His sheep shall hear, the Word that upholds the whole universe is the Word by which we can live; that alone declares our love for Him.  To such He says that both the Father and He will love them, and that He will manifest Himself to them.