The Word

Scripture: Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Luke 1:1-2

Observation: While I have read and studied this passage before, I just noticed something for the very first time - Luke refers to Jesus as "the word."

So many times I have been taught that John's gospel creates the definitive connection for Jesus as "the word" that was with God from the beginning, and was the spoken word of creation. However, Luke wrote his gospel ~45 years before John, and casually throws out that the early believers he knows are eyewitnesses to "the word."

Clearly, this connection between the word of God, and the lordship of Jesus, was core to the very beginning of the church, which makes me believe it HAD to be one of the teachings of Jesus himself to the disciples. This idea alone lends so much credibility to scriptural authority ... members of the early church all had core tenants they had learned from Jesus, and they faithfully embedded those tenants in their writings and letters even when they didn't quote Jesus. John explains this, saying that if everything Jesus said and did were written down, the whole world could not contain the volumes.

Application: I think I know the Bible, but I don't. There are AMAZING nuggets of insight to see every day! Just this - discovering that, in a verse I've read many times before, is one reference that intrinsically ties Luke to John in a way that conveys a basic teach of the early church - reveals that there will always be new things for me to learn about God every day. I am thankful to be in 'the word' every day.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for revealing more about yourself to me every day. May I listen to your word.