El Verbo de Dios

No… this is not a Spanish column. But we will be discussing a Spanish nomenclature.

In English, the title, "The Word of God" can refer to the Bible, or to Jesus.

In Spanish, the direct translation of this title, "La Palabra de Dios," refers to the Word of God, the Bible. However, when referring to Jesus, the title used is: "El Verbo de Dios."

The Verb of God

A verb is a word that typically expresses action. One could say that nouns are, verbs do.

I'm not trying to say that Spanish is right and English is wrong, but that when we use the same verbiage to name two very different realities, we miss out on depth of meaning. In reality, the Spanish use of "verb" to represent Jesus is closer to the Biblical presentation of God in the flesh.
Jesus Himself says that He could do nothing of Himself, "but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner" (John 5:19). Jesus so identified Himself with the works of God done through Him, that He audaciously stated to the unbelieving Jews, "if I do [the works of my Father], though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I am in Him." Not only for unbelievers, for those who sought to kill him, but also to the believers, to His disciples, he says, "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves."

Does this offend you?

Have you been taught to only believe in the Word of God... and not to seek after the works?

Indeed, we are not to seek after the works, or miracles, for the sake of works, or miracles. But, if as followers of Jesus we are called to do greater works than He did... His is an empowering leadership (John 14:12), then who are we to claim that this empowering is not ours to use as witness to His Kingdom?

Has the compassion of God for His creation ceased? Is there still a need to do the work the Messiah does according both to Isaiah 61:1-2 and Luke 4:16-21? Work Jesus said was happening as proof that indeed He was "the Coming One," "the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them" (Luke 7:20, 22).