The “Word” is the eternal name for the young Child of Bethlehem. He is so called because He is the revealer of the Father, the exponent of Godhead. He is so now; He was so in the days of his flesh; He has been so from eternity. The names Christ, Immanuel, Jesus, are His earthly ones; His names in time connected with His incarnate condition; but the names “Word” and “Son” are expressive of His eternal standing, His eternal relationship to the Father. What He was in time and on earth, that same He has been in heaven and from eternity. The glory which He had “before the world was” (John 17:5), and of which He “emptied himself” (Phil. 2:7), was the glory of the eternal Word, the everlasting Son. As the eternal revealer of Godhead, the “brightness of Jehovah’s glory, and the express image of His person,” His name ever was THE WORD; as the declarer of the mind of God to man, His name is no less THE WORD, with this addition, “the Word made flesh.”
— Horatius Bonar (1808–1889), Pastor
Related Bible passage: JHN.1.1
Topics: God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit, The Bible & the Word of God
Occasions: The Church Year, For Reflection
Horatius Bonar
Horatius Bonar (1808–1889) war ein schottischer presbyterianischer Pastor und Mitbegründer der Free Church of Scotland, der in Kelso und Edinburgh wirkte. Bekannt als produktiver Liederdichter und theologischer Autor, betonte er die stellvertretende Sühne Christi und geriet durch die Einführung von Kirchenliedern sowie seine Unterstützung für Dwight L. Moody in innerkirchliche Debatten. Heutigen Bibellesern begegnet er vor allem durch seine geistlichen Lieder sowie seelsorgerliche Schriften zur Rechtfertigung allein aus Gnade und zum Trost im Leiden.
All quotes by Horatius Bonar (32)
You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.
Augustine of Hippo
Jesus calls us not to a new religion, but to life.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I would not be able to seek you if you had not already found me.
Augustine of Hippo
When you see a child, you catch God in the act.
Martin Luther
God does not love us because we are lovable, but because his nature is love.
Oswald Chambers
God seeks you more than your offering.
Augustine of Hippo
God has his ear at your heart.
Augustine of Hippo
God is closer to us than we are to ourselves.
Augustine of Hippo