In our English classes we learn that a word is a noise that we make that contains meaning. It has syllables, letters, accents, and when spoken, it has volume and tone. Words are miracles, aren’t they?
Now let’s try to imagine God speaking a word. What would it sound like? How would you spell it? What happens when he speaks it?
When we go turn to the book of Genesis (chapter 1) we are told what happened when God spoke a word. His first reported word was:
“Let there be light, and there was light.”
Then he went on to speak several other words and at each time something miraculous happened—the sky came into being, oceans were formed, vegetation, animals, seeds and, in the end, human beings came into existence. When he spoke it was not just some intelligent noise like the sounds that come out of our mouths, but it accomplish what it said. There was no light; he spoke, and then there was light. His word accomplished something. It was not just an idea in his mind.
Then we jump to the Book of Hebrews, and listen some more to the power of God’s word (see chapter 1:1-3).
“In these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe…who sustains all things by his mighty word.”
It is now revealed that God really has just one fundamental Word—it is his only Son. He spoke creation into existence through this Word. And the Word that comes forth from his Son sustains everything in existence. If Jesus shuts up, guess what? Everything collapses; because creation cannot sustain itself. It needs the living word spoken by God in Jesus Christ to keep it in existence.
We are not surprised, then, to hear what happens when the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, spoke words during his sojourn on this earth. Today we have an example of this (Luke 7:11-17).
“Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain….As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow…He stepped forward and touched the coffin…(and) said, ‘Young man, I tell you arise!’ The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.”
Jesus did not touch the man, say prayers over him, or perform any kind of unusual rite. All he did was to speak a word—“Arise!”—and what he said came into being, just as when God said “Light!” and it came into being. Knowing the power of God’s word in creating the universe, and knowing that Jesus Christ is the Word of God made flesh, we are not surprised that his word brings about the impossible—bringing a dead man back to life.
Sometimes we are so deluged with “words” that we are not able to hear the “Word” speak to us. We talk about our problems, write about them, and consult experts—and all of that is good. When, however, Jesus approaches us and gives us a life-giving command are we ready to hear it? Do we really believe that the power of the risen Word can raise us from any kind of death we might be experiencing? If his word sustains the universe, imagine what it can do for us.
Remember the famous centurion who ask Jesus to “speak but a word.” Jesus spoke a word and the centurion’s servant was healed.
Are the eyes of my faith wide open today? Are the ears of my heart tuned into what Jesus is saying to me today? When he speaks to me the word, “Arise!,” will I get up from my “deadness” and start speaking just the way the dead man in the story did?
“A great prophet has arisen in our midst; God has visited his people” (Luke 7:16).
