Jesus and the Word

Jesus and the word, the word spoken which changed lives 2000 years ago and ever since, are interchangeable, that is , the man, Jesus, is somehow contained in his word. This is true for all figures of the past, who have their words recorded. We learn of them from their recorded words and for words that are not self-recorded, but by others, historical critics try to determine what is authentic and what isn't. Words from the past, recorded in written media, are subject to errors of transmission, even in the oral stage before they're written down. Jesus, did he say, the kingdom of God is at hand and among you and in your midst or inside of you? Rudolf Bultmann, 20th cent. NT scholar, wrote a book entitled, Jesus and the Word. He said, Jesus' word is basically eschatolgical, God's kingdom is finally here and every person is subject to God's kingdom. Bultmann claimed this message is valid today and always. Other NT interpreters emphasize other aspects of Jesus' word, but what a layperson should realize is that in reading the gospels they will encounter the historical Jesus, in this passage or that passage, but not know it for sure. Jesus died and millenia have passed and yet the word is still there in the NT and followers still come and go in every century. The church exists as an institution of Jesus' followers, but the informal attachment between Jesus and the quick is what is vital. This attachment comes through the word, the message of Jesus which is the gospel, the good news of salvation, transformation of self from ordinary worldly existence to God's royal rule. This rule subsists in the heart.