What does it mean that Jesus is Lord?

Answer

Generally speaking, a lord is someone with authority, control, or power over others. To refer to someone as a “lord” is to acknowledge them as a master or ruler. In the time of Jesus, the term “lord” was commonly used as a mark of respect for earthly authorities. When the leper addressed Jesus as “Lord” in Matthew 8:2, he was showing respect to Jesus as a healer and teacher (see also Matthew 8:25 and 15:25).

However, following the resurrection, the title “Lord” took on a deeper significance when referring to Jesus. Declaring “Jesus is Lord” became a way of affirming Jesus’ divinity. This shift began with Thomas’ declaration upon seeing Jesus after His resurrection: “Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!'” «And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. », (John 20:28). Subsequently, the apostles preached that Jesus is Lord, signifying “Jesus is God.” Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost emphasized this message: “Let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah” «Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. », (Acts 2:36). Later, at Cornelius’s house, Peter proclaimed that Jesus is “Lord of all” «The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) », (Acts 10:36). It is noteworthy that in Romans 10:9, Jesus’ lordship is connected to His resurrection: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

The declaration “Jesus is Lord” unequivocally asserts that Jesus is God.Jesus has “all authority in heaven and on earth” «And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. », (Matthew 28:18). He is Lord of the Sabbath «And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. », (Luke 6:5). He is “our only Sovereign and Lord” «For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. », (Jude 1:4). He is, in fact, the Lord of lords «These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. », (Revelation 17:14).

Jesus referred to Himself as “Lord” many times (e.g., Luke 19:31; John 13:13). And when we compare the Old Testament with the New, we find several instances when the “LORD” (Yahweh) of the Hebrew Bible is equated with the “Lord Jesus” by the apostles. For example, Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the LORD is good,” and that passage is alluded to in 1 Peter 2:3, except there Jesus is the “Lord” who is good. Isaiah 8:13 says that “the LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy”; in 1 Peter 3:15 we are commanded, “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy” (ESV).

Amazingly, the Lord Jesus left His exalted position in heaven and came to earth to save us. In His Incarnation, He showed us what true meekness looks like see Matthew 11:29. Just before His arrest, Jesus used His power and authority to teach us humility: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” «If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. », (John 13:14). The last will be first, according to our Lord «But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.», (Matthew 19:30).

In saying, “Jesus is Lord,” we commit ourselves to obey Him. Jesus asked, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” « And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? », (Luke 6:46). An acknowledgment of Jesus’ lordship is logically accompanied by a submission to Jesus’ authority. If Jesus is Lord, then He owns us; He has the right to tell us what to do.

A person who says, “Jesus is Lord,” with a full understanding of what that means (Jesus is God and has supreme authority over all things) has been divinely enlightened: “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit” «Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. », (1 Corinthians 12:3). Faith in the Lord Jesus is required for salvation «And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. », (Acts 16:31).

Jesus is Lord. It’s the truth, whether or not people acknowledge the fact. He is more than the Messiah, more than the Savior; He is the Lord of all. Someday, all will submit to that truth: “GGod exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).