Scripture: Matthew 4:4
But Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Thought for the Day: I don’t know when it was, but I was a bit surprised to discover that the Greek word we translate as word in this passage is different than the Greek word in the opening verses of John’s Gospel. In John, it is the wonderful Greek word Logos, but here it is Rhema. It describes a series of utterances or even a discourse. Too often we read this passage and assume Jesus was talking about the Bible, but we must remember that the Christian Scriptures (the New Testament) did not exist at that point. To speak of the word that comes from the mouth of God is to refer to the word that brought forth life in creation (Genesis 1:1ff), the words that brought forth life in the valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1ff), along with many other scriptural images.
As you think about this, how might you describe the “word that comes from the mouth of God”? What is life-giving about this word? What is a personal experience you’ve had where God’s life-giving Rhema has fed you?
Prayer: For all your many gifts, O Lord, I give you thanks. But this day, I am especially blessed as you have spoken to me words that are full of life and love. Amen.
