Scripture: John 1:1-3 (ESV)
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made."
As a preacher, I think about words a lot. Words have tremendous power. Think of some of the great speeches that have been given over the years. “I have a dream” (Martin Luther King Jr.), “We shall fight them on the beaches” (Winston Churchhill), “…we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.” (Barack Obama). These words have the power, they stir people, they build and create. Words like these can shape and change the course of nations. But these powerful words pale in comparison to THE Word that John begins his Gospel with. This Word creates out of nothing. This Word is the very foundation of everything that exists. This Word is Jesus himself.
It is interesting to think that while the other gospel writers begin their gospels with the story of Jesus’ birth on earth, John begins his gospel with theology. He begins by teaching us that Jesus is eternal, he is the pre-existing Word that was present with God from the very beginning. Not only was Jesus there at the very beginning with God, in fact he IS God. Everything that exists came into being through him.
In some ways, every atom and molecule, every star and light beam, every insect and animal exists because of Jesus. His fingerprints (word-prints?) are present in all of creation. The order that exists in the world exists because of him. He crafted and shaped the world, it didn’t just come into being. It is for this reason that the Christian must reject theories like the Big Bang, which state that everything came to be out of the pre-existing nothing. That the order we have in the universe only exists by chance as a result of the random and arbitrary values of things like the strength of gravity and the power of the strong and weak forces. No, the Christian must hold to the fact that the very reason these physical forces are designed precisely they way they are, is because of the Word has decreed them so.
So how are we to respond to this? In worship! Wherever you go today you will see the hand of Jesus in the design of creation. He also sustains the creation by his powerful word (Hebrews 1:3). Every blade of grass and every gust of wind, show us that there is a Creator who must be worshipped (Romans 1:20).
So when you see the wonder of creation, do you praise the one who made it?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you are the eternal Word, the Creator of all things. Help me to see your hand in everything around me. Help me to live in awe of who you are and what you have made. Amen.
Spiritual Challenge
Take a moment today to step outside and observe creation. Reflect on how Jesus, the Word, is behind every detail you see. Let this lead you into a time of worship.
The Eternal Word: Jesus as Creator and Sustainer