Articles
Words Worthwhile
Words. We read them, hear them, and speak them every single day. In fact, we have more access to words now more than ever before. We can turn to Google, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, CNN, Fox News or countless other platforms to be inundated with seemingly endless verbiage. Headlines may grab our attention for the moment (some of them just click-bait) and we probably won’t remember the story the following week. While that’s typically the case, what if you read a headline that read: “Man’s Words Provide Life.” Would you read that article? I’d check your pulse if you didn’t!
If there was a Capernaum Times-News in the days of Jesus, the journalist very well could have lead with that headline. When Jesus was in the midst of His teaching in John 6, He challenged the disciples’ commitment to Him. Some disciples weren’t very committed, as we read in verse 66 that, “many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.” After seeing this, Jesus turned His attention to His original 12 and asked if they’d like to do the same. Peter replied in verses 68 and 69, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
While Peter was often quick to respond, he was on-point with his assessment of Jesus and the value of His words - they were “of eternal life.” Of all words (past, present, and future), there are none more valuable to be heard, read, and re-read in the entire world. Jesus Himself would later say in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” As I always like to point out with this passage, notice the word “the.” That’s exclusive. There’s no “door number two” that’s going to lead to life eternal. The words of Peter and Jesus are in complete agreement.
Let’s not forget how John even started his gospel account of Jesus in John 1:1-4,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
So, when we add all of these Scriptures together, we can clearly see the big picture:
1. Jesus is the Word and is God (John 1:1)
2. Jesus is the only source of life and access to the Father (John 14:6)
3. Obedience to His words lead to life eternal (John 6:68)
As discussed from the start, we hear and read a lot of words every single day. The question is: are any of those words going to be from the One who holds the key to life eternal? Don’t let His words just grab your attention for a moment, allow them to grab your heart. Read all about it…because all of His words are truly worthwhile.
