Who Is Jesus?
Names and Descriptive Phrases of Jesus - Part 6
By Allan E. McNabb

In this series we’re talking about the names and descriptive phrases identifying Jesus.  Thus far we’ve talked about Jesus as God, our Creator, the Word, the Son of God, and the Lamb of God.

In this article, we talk about Jesus as Lord.

Jesus is Lord
Paul, speaking of Jesus, says, “who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 1:4).

Jesus is “Lord,” a term used a variety of ways in the Bible.

  • As an adjective it means "having power" (kuros) or "authority" (Vine’s).
  • Therefore, as a noun (despotes) it mean "a master, lord, one who possesses supreme authority" (Vine’s).

“Lord” Used of The Father and Son
The Father is Lord (Jude 1:5), and Jesus is Lord (Jude 1:4).

Paul usually uses “Lord” to reference Jesus, but not always.
Paul ordinarily uses kurios of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 1:3), but also on occasion of God, in quotations from the Old Testament (1 Cor. 3:20), and in his own words (1 Cor. 3:5; cf. 1 Cor. 3:10) (Vine’s).

Other writers frequently use the term “Lord” interchangeably.

  • In Acts 2:34-35, Peter uses “Lord” for God and “Lord” for Jesus in the same statement.  “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand. . . .’”

Therefore, we must be careful to understand of whom the word “Lord” is used, whether of the Father or Jesus.  If not, we could make false conclusions, resulting in false doctrine.

Jesus: Made Lord by God
Jesus was made Lord by the Father.

  • “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ – this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36).

This makes perfect sense, understanding the meaning of the word “Lord.”

  • “Lord” means having power or authority.
  • Since God gave Jesus all authority in heaven and earth, He made Him Lord (Matt. 28:18).

Jesus is Lord of All
Peter, speaking to the people assembled at Cornelius’ house, says, “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.  The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)” (Acts 10:35-36).

In other words, Jesus is everyone’s Lord.  Every person is obligated to obey Him, whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female (Gal. 3:28).

Jesus is the Lord of Glory
Speaking of the people who crucified Jesus, Paul says they crucified “the Lord of glory” (1 Cor. 2:8).

“This expression is a Hebraism, and means ‘the glorious Lord;’ or the ‘Messiah.’  Expressions like this, where a noun performs the office of an adjective, are common in the Hebrew language” (Barnes).

Today, Jesus is glorified as He rules, sitting at the “right hand of the power of God” – “the right hand of the throne of God” (Lk. 22:69; Heb. 12:2).

Jesus is Lord of Lords
John, seeing Jesus defeat His enemies, says:

  • “These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful” (Rev. 17:14).
  • And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "King of kings, and Lord of lords" (Rev. 19:16).

Jesus rules over all the nations of the earth, having all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18).  He is:

  • The Ruler of the kings of the earth (Rev. 1:5).
  • The blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:15).
  • The Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6).

Sanctify Christ as Lord in Your Heart
Our responsibility is to “sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts” (1 Pet. 3:15).

Peter, in the context of this statement, makes several good points for our consideration (1 Pet. 3:13-17).

  • We are blessed, no matter what happens to us, when Christ is sanctified as Lord in our hearts (vs. 13-14).
  • There is no reason to be afraid of what others may do to us, when Christ is sanctified as Lord in our hearts (vs. 14).
  • When Christ is sanctified as Lord in our hearts, we’re  ready to make a defense to everyone who asks us to give an account for the hope within us, with gentleness and reverence (vs. 15).
  • When Christ is sanctified as Lord in our hearts, we have a good conscience, even if people slandered and reviled us for our good behavior in Christ (vs. 16).
  • When Christ is sanctified as Lord in our hearts, it’s better to suffer for doing what’s right rather than for doing what’s wrong (vs. 17).

God made Jesus the Lord of each person’s life.  The only question is whether we’ll accept Him as our Lord.

As Christians, we accept Jesus as our Lord, and obey Him in all things.

To Be Continued
In future articles, we’ll explore more names and descriptive phrases of Jesus.