CELEBRATING CHRIST AS MY LORD

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” – Acts 2:36

Beloved, join me in CELEBRATING CHRIST as MY LORD – My Sovereign. Peter declared: “LORD, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jh.6:68). In the Scriptures, Jesus of Nazareth is called the Christ, Son of God, Son of Man, Saviour, King of kings, and Messiah. But unlike many of the other titles the term Lord is relatively common and as such its meaning is often taken for granted, even though the Church often sings: “He is Lord, He is Lord. He is risen from the grave and He is Lord.” What does His Lordship really mean? 

First, to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ means to acknowledge His position as the Son of God.  After the resurrection, the disciples were met by Jesus, having triumphed over death.  Thomas exclaimed, “MY LORD and my God!” (Jh.20:28). The proof of His Lordship was His resurrection, by which He became the undisputable Master over death and the grave. Peter explained thus: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both LORD and CHRIST” (Acts 2:36). If Jesus was merely mortal man, He could not be Lord over all, but because He rose from the grave, which the Bible and all of history confirms, He is Lord and someday all humanity will acknowledge that claim: “every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory if God the Father” (Phil.2:11b). 

The second meaning of the Lordship of Christ is that a person, recognizing who Jesus is, voluntarily submits to His authority and discipline. Interestingly, all of the disciples called Jesus, “LORD,” except Judas, who betrayed Him. At the Last Supper Jesus said, “…one of you will betray Me” (Mt.26:21b). Each one asked, “LORD, is it I?” Judas however asked, “Rabbi, is it I?” (Mt.26:21-25). This is evidence that Judas refused to submit to Christ's authority or discipline. The word, “submit”, bothers a lot of folks today as though it implies forcing oneself to do the bidding of someone who delights in one’s misery. To recognize the Lordship of Christ means that you make Him your Lord and choose to be His follower, without doubt or fear.

Jesus Himself gave the first hint into the significance of being called Lord when He addressed a great multitude of people along with His disciples, and asked: “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?" (Lk. 6:46). If you recognize Jesus Christ as your Lord, then the first requirement from you toward Him is absolute, utter and total obedience. Jesus Christ is worthy of our obedience because of the authority that He possesses. He said, as He departed for His throne in Glory, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Mt.28:18).

How did Jesus gain this authority? On the day of Pentecost, Peter the apostle recited from the Psalms, the words of David, linking them to the deeds and events in the life of Christ. After explaining about the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and proving that the words in the Psalms did not refer to David but to someone future and greater, he then said, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). The Father bestowed the office of LORD to Jesus Christ His Son because Jesus had surrendered Himself in full obedience, had accomplished the work of salvation through crucifixion and taken victory over all enemies through His resurrection. Paul also stressed the connection between the obedience of Christ and His Lordship (Phil. 2:8-11).

As Lord, Jesus Christ deserves reverence, honour, and obedience commensurate with His Glory. We as His followers must have His mind of obedience and acknowledge Him in all of our ways. We are only to do what pleases Him and what He has commanded us to do. This is how He, Himself lived towards the Father during His earthly sojourn (Jh. 8:28).