The Vicarious Self 3.

John begins his book about Jesus in a way reminiscent of his own first encounter with the Master. He gives Him a new name; “the Word.”

In his day names conveyed important things about a person. Peter would, one day, be strong; a “Rock.” He, and his Brother James, would become powerful “thunderous” men. The “Word,” as a name, tells us much about Jesus. A word is a medium of communication. Some one has something to tell us. Words are revealing. There are things we don’t yet know that we will discover in the life and teaching, not to mention the actions, of this man. Words are powerful. They can destroy. They can build up. They encourage. They discourage. They can inspire and empower. Words teach us. And this man, Christ Jesus, is the greatest Teacher. John’s new name – “Word” – not only tells us these things about Jesus. It tells us much about our greatest needs and the ways in which the Master will be able to resolve our dilemma.

There’s something else about the way John begins this book about Jesus; something very serious. The first 6 words of the book are the literary equivalent of blasphemy. John is Jewish. The Sacred Writings of Judaism are foundational to their identity as a Nation. They prescribe what is distinctly Jewish. The “Torah,” begins with a book titled “Bereishith (Genesis) which means “in the beginning.” That book’s first words are, “In the beginning.” John knew that. So would all Jewish people who read his book. Those three words, alone, would most certainly get the attention of the Jewish reader. The First Reality for the people of Israel was Jehovah – “I am” – the Most High God who revealed Himself to Moses on the Holy Mountain. Would this “John – the Son of Thunder,” the proponent of a movement claiming to represent Messiah, acknowledge Jehovah’s Sovereignty and First Place in history? The Torah does. "In the beginning 'God'" it states. No! Brazenly John declares, “In the beginning was the Word.” With that he was, without question, indictable. He had committed the capital crime of making another person equal to God.

This is iconoclastic! In 6 words the “Son of thunder,” strides roughshod over the foundation of Jewish faith. He overwrites the primary words of their Scriptures. He dishonors the “Most High God” by removing His name and presence from His place “in the beginning.” He contradicts Moses their first and greatest Prophet traditionally believed to be the author of these words he appears to be desecrating. Boldly, to Jews throughout the Mediterranean World, he sets another “The Word,” in the place of God. His brazen words were scandalous to the Jews of his day and every era since he first penned them.

What does this mean to us? This. The man, Jesus, the Christ – “Son of Man” – “Son of God,” is “God.” In 6 words John tells us that this man he wants us to know is Divine. He, whom John insists will bring “Life” to people who “believe,” is God. He who is from the “beginning,” knows all things. He knows who we are in reality. Knowing your “true self,” and possessing the unlimited power of “God,” He can set you free to become that person. Through Him you can be, “vicariously,” the person you’re created to be – the “true self!”