No One Spoke Like Jesus

By Adam Faughn

    One of the more enduring statements made about Jesus in Scripture was said by the officers of the Jews. Some of the leaders were seeking to bring in Jesus Christ (presumably, to “bring Him to justice,” as they would have seen it), but the officers could not do it. Why? They heard Jesus speak, and they had to conclude, “No one ever spoke like this man!” (John 7:46) The King James Version famously words it, “Never man spake like this Man!”
    There are countless reasons why that statement is true but consider just this one basic reason: every single word meant something. That may seem like a simplistic statement, but contrast that with “experts” of our day, who often have to go back and correct themselves, or have to clarify what they meant by a previous statement.
    Not so with Jesus of Nazareth! Every word He said is to be examined, thought about, and has great meaning. Just as one example of that, brother Wayne Jackson takes one statement Jesus made and brings this to bear for us. In John 7:37, our Lord said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”

    Brother Jackson points out that, in that one statement, you have:
           • Contingency (“if”);
           • Universality (“anyone”);
           • Satiation of a need (“thirst”);
           • Recognition of volition (“let him come”);
           • Source of relief (“unto me,” i.e., the Savior); and
           • Remedy (“and drink”). (1)
Is that not remarkable? When we come to any word of Scripture, we need to realize that we are reading something important and invaluable. However, when we come to the words of Jesus, we must remember that it is true: no one ever spoke like Him! Every word matters. Every word has meaning.
    And we will be judged by the words of this Man of Galilee (cf. John 12:48). Are you taking His words--each one of them--with that level of seriousness?

- Adam Faughn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org

NOTE: (1) Jackson, Wayne, Jesus Christ: The Master Teacher. Stockton, CA: Christian Courier Publications, 2013. Page 1.