Who Is Jesus?
Names and Descriptive Phrases of Jesus - Part 3
By Allan E. McNabb

Thus far in this series, we’ve talked about Jesus as God, and our Creator.

In this article, we talk about Jesus as the Word, and the significance this bears in reference to the working of Jesus in our lives.

Jesus is the Word of God
As we’ve discussed in the first two articles, Jesus is the Word.

  • “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jn. 1:1-3).

In Revelation, John sees Jesus coming on a white horse to wage war with the enemies of God.  “He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God” (Rev. 19:13).

Jesus’ Weapon Is His Word
Jesus fights evil with His word.

To the church in Pergamum, Jesus referred to Himself as the one who has the two-edged sword, indicating that His word is the weapon of God (Rev. 2:12; Heb. 4:12).

Then in the vision of His war with the beast and the kings of the earth, Jesus defeated them with the sword that comes from His mouth – The Word of God.

  • “From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty” (Rev. 19:15).
  • “And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh” (Rev. 19:21).

As the Word, Jesus is the Power of God
The word of the cross is the power of God.  Therefore, when we preach Christ, we are preaching the power of God.

  • “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18).
  • “But we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God . . .” (1 Cor. 1:23-24).

Paul’s statements are in perfect harmony with the fact that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.

  • “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes . . .” (Rom. 1:16).
  • Since Jesus is the Word of God, He is the power of God for salvation (Rev. 19:13; 1 Cor. 1:18, 24).

Statements in Hebrews and First Thessalonians also enlighten us regarding Jesus as the Word and power of God, as He works in us.

  • “But to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God . . . (1 Cor. 1:24).
  • Now the God of peace . . . equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ . . . (Heb. 13:20-21).
  • “. . . the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe” (1 Th. 2:13).

Jesus is the power of God, who works in us through the Word of God.

As the Word, Jesus is the Wisdom of God
Paul also tells us that Jesus is the wisdom of God.

  • “But we preach Christ crucified . . . the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:23-24).
  • “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God . . .” (1 Cor. 1:30).

 

Therefore Paul says:

  • All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ (Col. 2:3).
  • The word of Christ richly dwells in us, with all wisdom (Col. 3:16).

As the Word, Jesus is the Truth
The word of God is truth (Jn. 17:17).

So then, as the Word, Jesus is the truth.

  • “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14).

Therefore, Jesus said of Himself, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me: (Jn. 14:6).

He is:

  • The true bread (John 6:32).
  • The true light (John 1:9).
  • The true vine (John 15:1).
  • The faithful and true (Rev. 19:11).

Jesus is the one and only standard of truth.

Anything that disagrees with His word is false.  It’s from the devil, the father of all lies (Jn. 8:44).

Anything in agreement with His word is truth.

  • They are words of sober truth, as the truth is in Jesus (Acts. 26:25; Eph. 4:21).
  • Because, “the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth” (Eph. 5:9).

To Be Continued
In future articles, we’ll explore more names and descriptive phrases of Jesus.