“Sanctify Christ as Lord”

“But why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to me, and hears my sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell.And the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6:46-49)

The word Lord means “supreme authority.” It appears in the Septuagint over 9,000 times from which 6,000 replaces Yahweh. Calling Jesus Lord means that He has the same attributes and absolute authority as God the father.

The Lord teaches us the logical path after salvation. First we are saved by Him, and then we learn from Him, so we can obey Him. Many of Jesus followers had been through part of the process (be saved and learn from Him) but they did not obeyed His words. “Why are you calling me Lord?” His words convey the absurdity of declaring Him absolute authority and then ignore His commandments.  Whenever we refuse to obey Jesus, a problem in our hearts is revealed. “These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me:’” (Matthew 15: 8)

Continuous disobedience to Jesus authority is a problem of the heart. We are far from Him. Sincere, wholehearted obedience will draw us near to Him again, because it is the proof that we regard Him as our absolute authority.

The Lord compares us with two different men -one with a stable spiritual life, capable of overcoming trials and tribulations, because he has learned that obedience to Jesus is the clue to an immovable faith. The other one, whose life is not founded in obedience to Christ, is set for disaster when trials and tribulations come. Which of these men resembles you, my friend?

Paul said that God the Father bestowed on the Son “the name that is above every name.” Jesus’ disciples came to understand and proclaim with Thomas: “My Lord and my God!”  Who is Jesus to you? As pastor Paul Washer well put it: “Either Jesus is everything to us or He is nothing!”

Today’s practice

I will listen and obey my Lord Jesus.

 “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)