Jesus is the (Big W) Word of God who shows us how to apply the (small w) word of God.
Dr Bradley Jersak, in his stunning book, A More Christlike Word, says, “The Word of God is inspired, inerrant, and infallible. And when he was about eighteen years old, he grew a beard.” (p. 29)
The Big “W” Word of God is not a book or a scroll. He’s a person called Jesus, and he’s the most accurate Bible you’ll ever read as we discover in our text:
Hebrews 1:1-3, In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son…The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.
I.e., what is God like? Look at Jesus.
In one sense, the small w word is like John the Baptist:
John 1:6-8, There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. (John pointed to Jesus)
Q. What if we adapt those verses?
There was a book sent from God we call the Bible. 7 It came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through it all might believe. 8 The Bible is not the light; it came only as a witness to the light.
The small w word points to the Big W word, Jesus, the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.
C.S. Lewis put it this way, “It is Christ himself, not the Bible, who is the true Word of God. The Bible, read in the right spirit and with the guidance of good teachers, will bring us to him.”
In teaching this, I am not devaluing the Bible; I am merely putting it in its proper place.
I am teaching not a low view of Scripture but a high view of Christ.” (Brian Zahnd).
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Word of God! The primary revelation about Jesus is found in the small w word. Each page points to Jesus.
Let’s explore some examples of this:
Example One: Hebrews Chapter 4
Hebrews 4:12 (HCSB), For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart.
The context: Jesus is greater than Joshua and the Sabbath.
Hebrews 4:13 (HCSB), No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.
And then we have this really annoying title inserted by the editors:
Jesus the Great High Priest
The author wasn’t starting a new topic. There were no chapters, verses or titles in the original manuscripts.
Hebrews 4:14 (HCSB), Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession. (Confession = agreement, “to say the same thing about Jesus.”).
The entire chapter, and all of Hebrews, is about Jesus. Jesus is the word of God [who] is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword.
Just in case we’re in any doubt about this, consider John’s prophetic apocalyptic picture of the resurrected Jesus in Revelation 19:
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God…Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. (13, 15).
Back to our text. The author tells us that before Jesus, God spoke to ancient people through the prophets at many times and in various ways. Prophets like Moses, Esther, Isaiah, Miriam, Daniel, Deborah, Ezekiel, Hannah, and Malachi. Many of their words and actions are recorded in the sacred Scriptures. The ancient world collected these on stone tablets and papyrus scrolls. Today, these words are found in books and on Apps & websites.
But the One who made the stone and paper and leather became flesh. The Word is a person.
Example Two: John Chapter 5
(10) The Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” The Bible clearly says, and it does!
Jeremiah 17:21-22, This is what the LORD says: Be careful not to carry a load on the Sabbath day or bring it through the gates of Jerusalem. Do not bring a load out of your houses or do any work on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your ancestors.
Look at what Jesus says to these religious leaders:
John 5:39-40, 45-47, You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
(45) “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46 If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”
These guys were good, Bible-believing religious people. They knew their Scriptures but didn’t know how to apply them. They used bible verses to condemn and restrict others. They were addicted to being right about the Bible but were completely wrong in their use. They studied scriptures but missed Jesus.
This may be a description of some Christians today. Does this ever apply to you or me?
Q. Do I ever use the Bible to condemn others?
Q. Am I addicted to being right about scripture?
Q. Have I studied the Bible but missed Jesus?
Example Three: Luke Chapter 24
Luke (24:13-35) tells the story of two disciples (Cleopas + Simon) walking the road to Emmaus about 10 km from Jerusalem.
(21) We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.
Luke 24:25-27, [Jesus] said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Jesus, the Big W Word, used the small w word and showed how it all points to Him. That’s the filter we must use as we read & understand the Scriptures.
Reflective Questions:
As you read and study the scriptures, ask:
How does this point to or reflect Jesus?
In what way(s) does this draw me into intimacy with Jesus?
It’s possible to read without intimacy or illumination. You can be right about the Bible, but do you know the author?Does this verse or story align with what I know about Jesus?
Jesus didn’t argue with people about Bible verses, he fulfilled Scripture by offering kindness instead of condemnation. He threw forgiveness instead of stones. Consider this quote from NT Wright:
If you want to know who God is, look at Jesus. If you want to know what it means to be human, look at Jesus. If you want to know what love is, look at Jesus. If you want to know what grief is, look at Jesus. And go on looking until you’re not just a spectator, but you’re actually part of the drama which has him as the central character.
Discussion Questions
The Bible points to Jesus in the same way John the Baptist did. Discuss this statement in light of Hebrews 1:1-3; John 1:6-8.
Read Hebrews 4:12-16 with the view that the Word of God the author refers to is Jesus.
To hold fast to the confession means “to say the same thing about Jesus.” Confession is agreement. How could this truth help us when we disagree with fellow believers about a particular doctrine?
Read and discuss John chapter 5. What insights can we gain about religious people who have missed the point of Jesus as the Word? Consider Jeremiah 17:21-22 & John 5:10, 39, 46-47 in your discussions.
Discuss these contemplative questions with honesty and transparency:
• Do I ever use the Bible to condemn others?
• Am I addicted to being right about scripture?
• Have I studied the Bible but missed Jesus?Read and discuss Luke 24:13-35. How would these guys have felt? How did things change when Jesus came on the scene?
For further reading, I highly recommend three books by Dr Bradley Jersak: A More Christlike God, A More Christlike Way, and A More Christlike Word. I have found them incredibly helpful in developing my faith and understanding of Jesus and the Scriptures.