According to John 1:1, Jesus is the Word. Any commentary on John 1:1 will point out that John, with his choice of wording, “In the beginning…” is making a connection with Genesis 1:1. John wants us to understand Jesus in light of the creation (among other things). But in what way?
The essence of the creation account is God’s capacity to bring order out of chaos. Prior to speaking the creation into existence, there was watery darkness. Watery darkness to the ancient world (and to us if you think about it) is the epitome of chaos. It is outside of the chaos where God stands and speaks light and order into it. He brings order to disorder. He brings light to darkness. He brings death to life. This is what he does.
In much the same way, John is telling us that Jesus, like the Father, has this capacity. Jesus brings order out of disorder. In what way, however? In the creation account, God brought order to the disorder of the primeval waters.
What about Jesus? Jesus brings order into the brokenness and disorder of human life. Jesus brings that which is dead to life. Jesus brings healing, change, regeneration, and transformation. He shines light into the darkness of our life circumstances and the crookedness of the human heart.
This concept isn’t unique to the ministry of Jesus. This too is what God did in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (the “patriarchs”). What a mess of a family! Jacob was a master manipulator, and Abraham and Isaac were impotent! There was nothing they could do to bring light, order, and life in the midst of their circumstances. God, however, brought order to chaos.
Faith is the essential element in activating God’s creative, life-giving role in our lives. This is why the patriarchal stories are so important. They teach us that God, as the sovereign, order-bringing, life-giving Creator can enter in and speak order when we have faith. God can do it whoever and however he wishes, he choses, however, to only do it in response to human faith.
You see, humans were created as the capstone of the creation. They have power, dominion, and authority over the creation. They were created in the image of God. They have free will. Because the Bible has a high view of humanity, God always respects this dimension of humanity as his creation. This means that God choses to bring light to darkness when we express faith. This means for a dynamic relationship between believer and God.
The entire point of God’s redeeming activity in our lives and circumstances is not merely to alleviate us of our pain, problems, and decay. Because God choses to act in response to human faith, this means that it’s about much more than that. It’s about God being in relationship with his people. It’s not about God’ presents, it’s about his presence. Relationship is the context of renewal.
Jesus is the Word. He brings life. It is through the communication by word that he shines his light into the dark places of our lives. Order cannot come into human existence outside of relationship. He heals the wounded and binds up the broken—all for the sake of reciprocal, loving relationship. Order is manifest in the midst of a relationship with Jesus.
Walk with Jesus. Be healed.