“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:1-5).
And so the gospel of John begins by calling readers back to thebeginning, reminding us of who Jesus is: the Word, the Son of God, the very one who created the universe itself with his word. He spoke, and it came into being.
So much comfort lies in those words from the book of Genesis. So small they are—one word in the Hebrew language, three in English—Let there be . . .
The comfort? If God says something, it is so.
Turn your thoughts from the beginning to the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry—to the Word made flesh making his dwelling among sinful humankind. Think of all the times that the four gospels record Jesus speaking or using his words to show his power over all the things that he himself created. Count them if you can. Here are just a few:
Follow me. Fishermen abandon their nets, tax collectors leave their booths, and sinners turn from old ways of life. Be still. A sea in storm—stilled in a moment with a stern word. Be gone. Demons shout and scream and submit. Little girl, I say to you, get up. Death itself releases its icy grip. Stand up—walk. A paralyzed man stands for the first time. Neither do I condemn you. Now go, and sin no more . . . Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace. Sinners weep for joy.
I’ve barely begun to scratch the surface. John himself said: “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25).
One more, dear Christian.
Think of the God-man, bloodied and bruised, with arms outstretched on the cross, struggling to gather in even one more breath. Yet he knew he had to, because there were words that needed to be said—words we needed to hear.
So much comfort lies in those words from the book of John. So small they are—one word in the Greek language, three in English: It is finished . . .
The comfort? If God says something, it is so. This is the immutable fact that God the Son laid down with his final moments on the cross, even as he laid down the earth’s foundations.
Ponder that for a moment, dear Christian.
Think about everything your heavenly Father says to you in his Word and sacraments—all of the promises, assurances, and encouragements. It’s all true. Your sins are forgiven. You’re a part of God’s family. You have a home in heaven waiting for you—all because of Jesus. You get to live each day in thanksgiving to him.
What grace! What love. God says it, and it is so.
Truer words have never been spoken.
Alex Brown is the marketing and content copywriter at Northwestern Publishing House. He has his Master of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in God’s creation.