LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
What Is His Name?
Lord
Harry Foster
The title "Lord" was originally used by the disciples as a mark of respect, and indeed the word is sometimes translated simply as "Sir" (John 20:15). Steadily, however, the apostles began to appreciate the greatness of their Master, and were ready to refer to Him as "The Lord" (Luke 19:31). Their convictions were crystallized and confirmed on the resurrection morning, and at once they spontaneously began to call Him "the Lord" (John 20:25 & 21:7).
When the Holy Spirit came they had an altogether new insight into this unique Lordship, and boldly announced to all men that it was God Himself who had constituted the crucified Jesus "both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36). From this time on there was no place in their thinking for any doubts or questionings; He was "the Lord Jesus" (Acts 4:33) and they gladly accepted the implications of this title, calling themselves His servants or indeed His bond-slaves (Acts 4:29). More than this, they reinforced their message of His Lordship by making themselves the servants of all men for His sake (2 Corinthians 4:5).
Without the Holy Spirit's aid men cannot truly call Christ their Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3). Of course they can use the empty words (Luke 7:46 & 12:25) but this means nothing to Him and will bring no benefits to them. Only the Spirit can make Christ to be Lord in an effective, living way; and it is useless to call Him "the Lord" or "our Lord" unless a man has first come to know Him as "my Lord". The Holy Spirit has come into human experience for this very purpose, to bring men into true liberty by leading them into wholehearted submission to the Lord Jesus Christ, and so He is rightly described as "The Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:17).
In the case of Peter's visit to Caesarea we have a striking illustration of the Spirit's work in this matter of liberation. Peter's message was simple enough -"He is Lord of all" (Acts 10:36)- but the effect on his hearers was phenomenal The whole group, from Cornelius downwards, was electrified into a vital experience of salvation. We do not have to guess the reason for this display of the Spirit's power, for Peter not only spoke with His help but the fact was that he spoke from a new committal to the Lordship of Christ in his own life.
He went to Caesarea hot from a new challenge and a new submission; he who had long preached and proved Jesus as Lord had been asked to obey in a matter which offended his deepest prejudices and had refused in that monumental contradiction in terms "Not so, Lord" (Acts 10:14). However, grace was given him to set aside his own will in favour of the command of his Lord, with the logical if startling release of the Spirit's unction and power. On that day Peter could certainly not have said that Jesus was Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
It was given to the apostle Paul, the great bondservant of Jesus Christ, to enunciate the full significance of this title. He explained that Christ's exaltation was God's just recognition of His perfect character; only the One who had Himself rendered perfect obedience could demand obedience from others. He affirmed that one day all creation, including the powers "under the earth" which have not been reconciled to God through the cross, will bow to the supremacy of this name of Lord. This, he asserted, will bring the deepest satisfaction to the Father's heart (Philippians 2:11). Paul then added that his personal re-action to these truths had been gladly to sacrifice all his own interest for the great honour of knowing Him as "Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:8).
If it cost Paul everything to call Jesus Lord, it certainly cost Jesus everything to attain to that Lordship. The cost was that of His own life's blood, a fact which stresses to us the great importance to God and man of His being Lord. (Romans 14:9).
In the New Testament the title "Lord" is used to describe the Jehovah of the Old Testament, a point which can easily be proved by comparing parallel passages. When, therefore, the apostles called Jesus "The Lord" they made Him equal with the great I AM, and they did not hesitate to quote from the Old Testament to substantiate this amazing claim (Romans 14:11). The Bible ends by commending all believers to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is what the Book is all about. (Revelation 22:21).