Just words.
Think how this may be taken. Does it mean “only” words.
That’s how critics of President Obama appraised his State of the Union speech. “Just words,” they said. As from Shakespeare, Obama’s speech was “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” These critics meant his words were essentially empty, of no real account. He offered only words.
Now, one may disagree with any president, but to say his speech was “just words” does not so much belittle the president as it demeans the words. It counts them as merely words, disposable words.
Anyone who dismisses words as “just words” promotes an idea that true reality must be beyond words. Words, of themselves are paltry and have impact only if fortified by my opinion of them. But is this true? Are words of themselves only sounds with no substance until I invest in them a meaning I choose to give them? If so, then words are indeed “just words.”
Another take is that “just words” refers to honorable words. Here the meaning is quite opposite from a consideration which deems words neutral at best or meaningless at worst. “Just words” in this other sense refers to the nobility of words. Words are regarded as powerful in their own right, endowed not only with a capacity to carry truth but to create it. Here “just words” are something beautiful.
It was first said of Jesus at Nazareth, “All spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.” (Luke 4:22) What had Jesus done at Nazareth? Had he done great, impressive acts? Had he built an industry? Had he achieved fame? Had he assembled an empire?
All he did was read in worship from the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
“Just words.” No empire. No celebrity. No conglomerate. Just words.
The sheer volume of words conveyed in our time lead many to think we should receive them at big discount. I mean, look at what most books bring at a yard sale? Pennies at best. Bibles especially are a dime a dozen. But if words are cheep, then we in Christ’s church are impoverished.
The critic may look at the church and demand, “What have you got!” Show us your accomplishments, your exploits, talents, and successes. “What have you got?”
Just words.
It may sound foolish, but that’s how it is. All we have. Just words.
Yet, these words are not empty. Words established the cosmos (Gen. 1). Words prepared and sustained the flood survivors (Gen. 6:18). Words were God’s covenant with Abram (Gen. 15:1) Words, God's words have done it all. Just words. No collateral. No stock. No cash. No gear.
Just words.
Of all that might be dear to us, the most precious are words. Words spoken over you at your baptism declared you a child of God, a forgiven sinner and heir of heaven. Words at the altar convey bread and wine to us which communicate the living body and blood of Jesus Christ. Words deliver the forgiveness of sins. Words convert the skeptic, sustain the weary, comfort the bereaved, and raise the dead. Medicine doesn’t do this. Money doesn’t do this. Machinery doesn’t do this.
Just words.
Dearly beloved, never consider the gift of words miserable or the church feeble until it gets beyond words. The greatest spiritual fakery it to go beyond just words. The hope and security we have as Christians; the trust and the truth to which we cling is just words. A life stands or falls on words … just words.
Our foundation isn't in fortune, fame, or fanfare. The church is just words.
But oh! What words they are! “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away,” Jesus said (Mark 13:31). Can this be said of anything else except just words? What a promise just these words deliver, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)
These are truly just words, words which not only carry truth but create it. Words, Christ’s words have created in you a new life. Words, just Christ’s words alone, have completed exactly what they have said and express, the forgiveness of sins for you.
And when we come to the end of our days when health, accomplishment, skill, and years fade, and someone asks you what you have left on which to ground your life, you can say …
Just words. Christ’s words are my singular blessing.
I have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of my Lord remains forever. And it was just this good word that was preached to me.
