We call Jesus Christ “Lord.” This is good, for the Lord created us. He is our Owner, Ruler, and Judge. He is glorious and majestic; He has in His hand all the authority in heaven and on earth. The angels serve Him, with the cherubim calling out night and day, “Holy, holy is the Lord, the Almighty.”
The name “Lord” occurs 6,828 times in the Old Testament, whereas the term “God” is mentioned only 2,600 times. This indicates the great importance of the title “Lord” in the Scriptures.
The shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem were very afraid when they heard the angel’s declaration that the Lord had arrived. The angel brought them good tidings of great joy, which would be to all people. There was born to them in the city of David a Savior, who was Christ the Lord This name means that the Lord God became incarnate in Jesus. The Creator humbled himself in the form of a bondservant. In His humiliation, He was tempted in every way, just as we are, yet He remained without sin.
What love did the Lord show us in drawing near to us in Jesus! All the powers of heaven dwelt in the child of the manger. The apostles recognized the great mystery. They called Christ “Teacher,” “Master,” and “Lord.” In the New Testament, the name “Lord” appears 216 times. When you read the title “Lord” in the gospels with regard to Jesus, it means that all of God’s characteristics and powers are concentrated in Him. This is why the church has always used the phrase “Our Lord Jesus Christ” as a summary of its creed. This confession harmonizes with two prophecies mentioned in the Old Testament. The first prophecy is that David’s descendant would be the Son of God (2 Samuel 7:13-14); and the second occurs in Psalm 110:1 when David confessed, “the Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
Jewish leaders asked Jesus tricky questions, one after another, out of the law. But Jesus challenged them with a question out of the promises: “What do you think about the Christ?” Many were so full of the law, that they forgot Christ. They believed that their works would save them without the merit and grace of the Messiah. It would be wise for each of us to ask ourselves, “What do we think about the Christ?” “What do you think about the Christ?” Some people rarely think of Him. Some do not think of Him at all. But to those who believe that Christ is precious, how precious then are the thoughts of him! (Psalm 139:17).
The Lord Jesus Christ compared two prophecies when guiding those who were seeking the truth about Him as the Son of God and the Lord Himself. The extremists, however, would not comprehend this truth. If they did, they would have to confess that God appeared as two persons in a spiritual union. So they gave the cowardly excuse that they did not know the meaning the prophecies, and went away filled with resentment and hatred. However, this divine truth is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He sits at the right hand of His heavenly Father (Revelation 3:21). Together they rule the universe in a harmony of love and unity. This mystery is too great for man to perceive of his own accord. As Scripture states, no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3). In the communion of the Spirit, we know God’s love became incarnate in Jesus Christ, and we partake of His life by the gift of faith given to us.
The Jews could not recognize Jesus as Lord, because they closed their hearts against His love. So Jesus was obligated to declare to them that God would make them His footstool, for everyone who does not kneel to Jesus shall perish. This divine revelation incites us to preach Christ, even to His enemies. When we do, we unite with the love of God, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.