Words are pictures of ideas. We might be tempted to think some words are merely pictures of things. But things are ideas. One of the most endearing word ever is Mother. Mother is an idea embracing so much more than one human. A Car is a thing. But the word Car fills our minds with freedom and style and places. And so it was that John chose to begin his Gospel by calling Jesus the Word. That name is filled with endless ideas about the greatness of God and His love for us. John finishes his gospel by saying, “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.” In between his introduction and his coda John calls Jesus, the light of the world, the lamb of God, the water of life, the bread of life, the good shepherd. Each descriptor is filled with ideas.
A word as simple as Mean is not so simple. It could mean giving meaning. It could mean being average. It could mean being nasty and surly. It could mean one’s intention. If I said something is awful you do not know if I mean it was horrible or so wonderful I was awed by it. It is no wonder there is so much strife in the world. Knowing what someone means when they use words is very challenging. Perhaps the most sensitive task in the world is being a translator at the United Nations. A wrong meaning could start a nuclear conflagration.
“In the beginning was the Word.” God is a treasury of ideas that lead on to more ideas which lead on to more ideas. Eternity will be an endless stream of ideas expressed in The Word.
Spring Of Life