Thursday, September 22, 2022

The Lordship of Christ (Acts 2)

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).

Though we studied Psalm 110 last week, there is another aspect we need to study relating to Christ. The psalm pictures Yahweh speaking to Adonai. This psalm has profound implications regarding Jesus of Nazareth who is called Kurios, the New Testament form of Adonai. Kurios or Adonai, both translated as “Lord,” reveals the authority, power, and divinity of Jesus Christ. Adonai means “the one who is absolutely sovereign.” Jesus Christ came not only to die on a cross, but He came to reign as Lord over creation and His church. We already studied how the title Son of Man implicitly revealed Christ’s divinity. Now we discover that His title Lord proclaims His divinity in a more explicit fashion.

Jesus declared in John 10:30 that He and the Father are one. They are not only one in purpose, but in nature. The Jews fully understood Jesus’ claim because they said, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a man, make Yourself God” (v. 33) The Jews did not expect the Messiah to be God incarnate. So when Jesus made Himself equal with God, they plotted to kill Him as a blasphemer.

But those who were close to Jesus, who were convinced by the Spirit of God that He was divine, responded not with cries of hatred but with heartfelt worship and devotion. First Corinthians 12:3 says that “no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” Those who have been given this ability respond in the only way appropriate, by worshiping Him in spirit and in truth. Because Jesus is Lord over all, His people all behave as subjects in His kingdom—in sincere worship of their God and King. Because the Messiah came not only to die on a cross, but to reign over His kingdom, He is to be obeyed not merely acknowledged. Christ has power and authority over His church. He has the right to impose control over His people. By bearing the designation of Lord, Jesus asserts the right and the power to rule over every aspect of our lives. Therefore, we must submit to Him in everything. His Lordship must bear witness not only on Sundays, but throughout the week, at home, at school, or in the office. Wherever we may be, Jesus is Lord, sovereign ruler and loving King.

Read Hebrews 13:15–17. How should Christ’s Lordship impact your life? What does this passage say about how you should behave as a subject in Christ’s kingdom? Consider the various ways the Lordship of Christ should change your life this very day. Ask God to help you submit to His authority.