‘Jesus is Lord.’ But of what?

Introduction

1. Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff visited the US recently and tried out Google’s driverless car. Our local newspaper’s editor claimed that Brazil is a driverless car, but without the Google intelligence. So the risk of an accident is great.
2. His criticism points up that human governments are variable. They can be good, average, or bad.
3. Good government is that of Jesus Christ and God the Father. They are both called “Lord,” indicating their sovereignty and authority.
4. In Matthew’s gospel, there are three descriptions of Jesus and the Father that enrich our understanding of his Lordship.
5. Jesus received all authority from the Father, Mt 28.18, so what is said of God is also true of Christ.

1. Lord of the harvest, Mt 9.37-38

1. The Lord has authority over the work of the harvest of souls. He determines the nature of the work, defines its mode of operation, and guarantees its success.
2. He is concerned with people’s souls and eternal destiny and he answers prayers for just such a harvest.
3. He not only tells his followers to pray for workers but sends them out into the fields to bring in the harvest, Mt 10.
4. Who dares refuse the Lord’s mission?

2. Lord of heaven and earth, Mt 11.25

1. Jesus uses this phrase to describe the Father in prayer. He also shares in this complete sovereignty.
2. The Lord reveals his will according to his wisdom.
3. He is the Lord who is worthy of praise and to whom we address our prayers.
4. Who dares reject his wisdom?

3. Lord of the Sabbath, Mt 12.8

1. Jesus applies the phrase to himself. He is the one who knows how to apply the commandment to life, according to his original purpose.
2. His government brings rest, because he is gentle and humble, and “my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry”, Mt 11.28-30.
3. Who dares to twist his word?

So what?

1. Other phrases describing Jesus as Lord in other parts of the New Testament would also provide us great lessons: Lord of all, Lord of lords, Lord of glory.
2. The three we examined above speak of God’s nature and his reasons and ways of exercising his sovereignty.
3. What should we do about it?
   1. Let us fulfill his mission of going out to the world to harvest souls by proclaiming the Good News.
   2. Let us learn God’s wisdom, practice it daily, and praise him for it.
   3. Let us respect the word of God and Christ, according to its original meaning, and live by it.

In the comments below, please share your perspective on this outline. If you use it somewhere, let us know where. Any tweaks to improve it?