Title: Jesus: The Living Word of God – Our Anabaptist Perspective
In the tapestry of our Christian faith, few concepts are as central and profound as the identification of Jesus Christ as the Word of God. This belief, deeply rooted in scripture, holds a special significance for us as Anabaptists, followers of Christ committed to discipleship, community, and the authority of Scripture. From the heart of our Anabaptist theology emerges a vibrant understanding of Jesus as the Living Word, resonating with profound implications for our faith and practice.
The Word Incarnate
The Gospel of John, in its opening verses, introduces Jesus in a unique light: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1, NIV). For us, Jesus is not merely a historical figure or a moral teacher but the very embodiment of God’s communication with humanity. This theological declaration underscores Jesus’ eternal existence and divine nature, affirming his role in the creation and sustaining of the cosmos.
For us, this understanding of Jesus as the Word incarnate speaks to the core of our faith. It points to the belief that God’s revelation to humanity finds its fullest expression not in abstract principles or written texts alone but in the person of Jesus Christ. In Jesus, the abstract becomes concrete, the distant becomes near, and the divine becomes human. This incarnation is central to our Anabaptist theology, emphasizing the radical accessibility of God’s presence and the invitation to intimate relationship.
The Authority of Jesus’ Teachings
As Anabaptists, we hold a deep reverence for Scripture, viewing it as God’s inspired word and the primary source of guidance for our Christian faith and practice. However, we also recognize that Jesus himself is the ultimate revelation of God’s will and character. As the Living Word, Jesus’ teachings, actions, and example carry unparalleled authority in our lives.
This perspective challenges us—and all Christians—to prioritize the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, the words attributed directly to Jesus. In them, we find the blueprint for discipleship, the ethic of love, and the call to radical obedience. From the Sermon on the Mount’s teachings on nonviolence and enemy love to Jesus’ example of humility and servanthood, his life becomes the interpretive lens through which all scripture is understood and applied in our lives.
Community as the Living Word in Action
For us as Anabaptists, the implications of Jesus as the Living Word extend beyond theology into communal praxis. Just as Jesus embodied God’s love and truth, Anabaptist communities aspire to embody the values of the Kingdom of God in our life together. This means living out the teachings of Jesus in tangible ways, prioritizing love, peace, justice, and reconciliation in our interactions with one another and the world.
In our communities, the Living Word is not confined to ancient texts or theological discourse but is incarnated in the daily rhythms of shared life. It’s seen in acts of mutual aid, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It’s heard in the songs of worship and the prayers of intercession. It’s felt in the solidarity of believers walking alongside one another through life’s joys and trials.
Conclusion
In the person of Jesus Christ, we find the ultimate revelation of God’s love and truth. As the Living Word, Jesus embodies the essence of God’s communication with humanity, inviting us and all believers into intimate relationship and discipleship. For us as Anabaptists, embracing Jesus as the Word incarnate means not only affirming his divinity but also prioritizing his teachings and example in both our individual and communal life. Through embodying the values of the Kingdom of God, Anabaptist communities seek to make the Living Word visible and tangible in a world hungering for love, justice, and reconciliation.
