Jesus is Lord: Understanding His Divine Authority

 

Summary

In this exploration of Jesus' identity, we delve into how God perceives Jesus, focusing on the profound declaration that "Jesus is Lord." This simple yet powerful confession was the first creed of the early Christian church, encapsulating the essence of Jesus' divine authority and sovereignty. The choice of the title "Lord" over others like "Messiah" or "Son of Man" is significant, as it reflects the early church's understanding of Jesus' supreme authority, a concept deeply rooted in the Old Testament, particularly in Psalm 110. This psalm, the most frequently quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament, presents a dialogue where Yahweh speaks to "my Lord," indicating a divine authority bestowed upon someone other than Yahweh, which the New Testament identifies as Jesus.

The term "Lord" (Greek: kurios) carries multiple meanings, from a simple respectful address to a title of supreme sovereignty. In the context of Jesus, it signifies the highest authority, akin to the Hebrew "Adonai," reserved for God. This understanding was crucial for early Christians, who faced persecution for refusing to declare "Caesar is Lord," instead affirming "Jesus is Lord," a confession that often cost them their lives.

The New Testament further emphasizes Jesus' authority, as seen in the Philippians' hymn, where Jesus, despite his divine nature, humbles himself, leading to God exalting him and bestowing upon him the name above all names. This act of humility and subsequent exaltation underscores the divine endorsement of Jesus' lordship, a title that demands recognition and reverence from all creation.

Understanding Jesus as Lord is not merely an intellectual assent but a profound spiritual acknowledgment that requires the Holy Spirit's work in our hearts. It is a declaration of allegiance, recognizing Jesus' ultimate authority over our lives and the universe. This confession aligns with God's view of Jesus, who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth, and whom God commands us to hear and obey.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Simplicity and Power of "Jesus is Lord": The early church's confession, "Jesus is Lord," encapsulates the essence of Christian faith. This declaration is not just a statement of belief but a profound acknowledgment of Jesus' divine authority and sovereignty, rooted in the Old Testament and affirmed by the New Testament. It challenges us to recognize Jesus' lordship in every aspect of our lives. [01:18]

2. Psalm 110 and Jesus' Divine Authority: Psalm 110, the most quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament, reveals a divine dialogue where Yahweh speaks to "my Lord," indicating a bestowed authority. This passage is pivotal in understanding Jesus' identity as the one who holds supreme authority, a concept that the early church embraced and proclaimed. [03:17]

3. The Multifaceted Meaning of "Lord": The term "Lord" (kurios) in the New Testament carries various meanings, from a respectful address to a title of supreme sovereignty. In the context of Jesus, it signifies the highest authority, akin to the Hebrew "Adonai," reserved for God. This understanding is crucial for recognizing Jesus' divine role and authority. [11:40]

4. The Cost of Confessing Jesus as Lord: Early Christians faced persecution for refusing to declare "Caesar is Lord," instead affirming "Jesus is Lord." This confession was a declaration of allegiance to Jesus' ultimate authority, often at the cost of their lives. It challenges us to consider the depth of our commitment to Jesus' lordship today. [16:58]

5. Jesus' Humility and Exaltation: The Philippians' hymn highlights Jesus' humility and subsequent exaltation by God, who bestows upon him the name above all names. This act underscores the divine endorsement of Jesus' lordship, calling us to bow in reverence and confess his authority, aligning our lives with God's view of Jesus. [24:35]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:18] - Who is Jesus?
- [00:29] - God's Perspective on Jesus
- [00:59] - Early Church Confession
- [01:34] - The Title "Lord"
- [02:39] - Most Quoted Old Testament Passage
- [03:17] - Psalm 110's Significance
- [04:04] - Yahweh and Adonai
- [06:53] - The Complexity of "Lord"
- [08:32] - Greek Translation: Kurios
- [11:21] - Different Uses of "Lord"
- [13:26] - Imperial Use of Kurios
- [16:13] - Early Christian Persecution
- [18:00] - Confessing Jesus as Lord
- [20:10] - Jesus' Authority
- [22:33] - Philippians' Hymn
- [24:35] - Jesus' Exaltation
- [26:31] - The Highest Name
- [28:09] - Jesus as Lord of Lords

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Jesus is Lord"

Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 110:1 - "The LORD says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'"
2. Philippians 2:5-11 - The hymn about Jesus' humility and exaltation.
3. Matthew 28:18 - "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.'"

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the significance of the title "Lord" as used in Psalm 110, and how does it relate to Jesus' identity? [03:17]

2. How does the early church's confession "Jesus is Lord" reflect their understanding of Jesus' authority? [01:18]

3. In Philippians 2:5-11, what actions of Jesus led to God exalting him and giving him the name above all names? [24:35]

4. How did the refusal of early Christians to declare "Caesar is Lord" demonstrate their allegiance to Jesus? [16:58]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why might the early church have chosen the title "Lord" over "Messiah" or "Son of Man" for their confession of faith? [01:34]

2. How does Psalm 110:1 contribute to the New Testament understanding of Jesus' divine authority and identity? [03:17]

3. What does the Philippians hymn suggest about the relationship between Jesus' humility and his exaltation by God? [24:35]

4. How does the concept of Jesus as "Lord" challenge contemporary believers in their daily lives and decisions? [17:44]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the simplicity and power of the confession "Jesus is Lord." How does this statement challenge you to recognize Jesus' authority in your life? [01:18]

2. Psalm 110 is pivotal in understanding Jesus' identity. How can you incorporate the acknowledgment of Jesus' divine authority into your daily prayer or worship routine? [03:17]

3. The early Christians faced persecution for their faith. What are some modern-day challenges you face in confessing Jesus as Lord, and how can you overcome them? [16:58]

4. Jesus' humility led to his exaltation. In what areas of your life can you practice humility, and how might this lead to spiritual growth or opportunities for service? [24:35]

5. Consider the cost of allegiance to Jesus' ultimate authority. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to submit to his lordship, and what steps can you take to address this? [17:44]

6. How does understanding Jesus as the one with "all authority in heaven and on earth" influence your perspective on current world events or personal challenges? [20:38]

7. Identify one specific way you can demonstrate your allegiance to Jesus' lordship in your community or workplace this week. What practical steps will you take to make this happen? [17:44]

Devotional

Day 1: The Essence of Christian Faith: Jesus is Lord
The early Christian confession "Jesus is Lord" is a profound declaration that encapsulates the essence of Christian faith. This statement is not merely a verbal acknowledgment but a deep recognition of Jesus' divine authority and sovereignty. Rooted in the Old Testament and affirmed by the New Testament, this confession challenges believers to recognize Jesus' lordship in every aspect of their lives. The early church understood the weight of this declaration, often facing persecution for refusing to declare "Caesar is Lord" and instead affirming "Jesus is Lord." This confession was a declaration of allegiance to Jesus' ultimate authority, often at the cost of their lives. It challenges us to consider the depth of our commitment to Jesus' lordship today. [01:18]

Isaiah 45:23-24 (ESV): "By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: 'To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.' Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him."

Reflection: What areas of your life do you struggle to fully submit to Jesus' lordship? How can you begin to surrender these areas to Him today?


Day 2: Psalm 110: A Revelation of Divine Authority
Psalm 110 is the most quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament, revealing a divine dialogue where Yahweh speaks to "my Lord," indicating a bestowed authority. This passage is pivotal in understanding Jesus' identity as the one who holds supreme authority, a concept that the early church embraced and proclaimed. The New Testament identifies Jesus as the recipient of this divine authority, affirming His role as the ultimate sovereign. This understanding challenges believers to recognize and submit to Jesus' authority in their lives, aligning their actions and decisions with His will. [03:17]

Hebrews 1:13 (ESV): "And to which of the angels has he ever said, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet'?"

Reflection: How does recognizing Jesus' supreme authority influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? What changes can you make to align more closely with His will?


Day 3: The Multifaceted Meaning of "Lord"
The term "Lord" (kurios) in the New Testament carries various meanings, from a respectful address to a title of supreme sovereignty. In the context of Jesus, it signifies the highest authority, akin to the Hebrew "Adonai," reserved for God. This understanding is crucial for recognizing Jesus' divine role and authority. The early Christians' refusal to declare "Caesar is Lord" and their insistence on "Jesus is Lord" highlights the profound significance of this title. It calls believers to acknowledge Jesus' ultimate authority over their lives and the universe, challenging them to live in obedience to His commands. [11:40]

1 Corinthians 8:5-6 (ESV): "For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many 'gods' and many 'lords'—yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist."

Reflection: In what ways do you acknowledge Jesus as Lord in your daily life? How can you deepen your understanding and practice of His lordship?


Day 4: The Cost of Confessing Jesus as Lord
Early Christians faced persecution for refusing to declare "Caesar is Lord," instead affirming "Jesus is Lord." This confession was a declaration of allegiance to Jesus' ultimate authority, often at the cost of their lives. It challenges us to consider the depth of our commitment to Jesus' lordship today. The early church's willingness to suffer for this confession serves as a powerful reminder of the cost of discipleship. Believers are called to examine their own lives and consider what sacrifices they are willing to make for the sake of Christ's lordship. [16:58]

Matthew 10:32-33 (ESV): "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: What sacrifices are you willing to make to uphold your confession of Jesus as Lord? How can you prepare yourself to stand firm in your faith when faced with challenges?


Day 5: Jesus' Humility and Exaltation
The Philippians' hymn highlights Jesus' humility and subsequent exaltation by God, who bestows upon him the name above all names. This act underscores the divine endorsement of Jesus' lordship, calling us to bow in reverence and confess his authority, aligning our lives with God's view of Jesus. Jesus' example of humility and obedience serves as a model for believers, encouraging them to live lives marked by humility and submission to God's will. This understanding calls believers to reflect on their own attitudes and actions, seeking to emulate Jesus' example in their daily lives. [24:35]

Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV): "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Reflection: How does Jesus' example of humility and exaltation inspire you to live differently? What specific actions can you take to reflect His humility in your interactions with others?

Quotes


In the contemporary church it amazes me when I go back to the primitive church to the first century Christian church and realize that the very first confession of faith of the Christian church was extremely brief. It was one simple statement: Jesus ho curios, Jesus is Lord. [00:41:50]

The old testament passage that is quoted more often than any other in the new testament is psalm 110. Psalm 110 let me read you the portion that became so important for the new testament church as they sought to understand the identity of Jesus. [00:55:12]

In the old testament the term adonai is the title that is the supreme title in all of Israel given to yahweh. Adonai means the sovereign one, the one who has absolute authority over heaven and earth and over our lives and in this sense it was used exclusively for god. [01:02:57]

In addition to the normal sir, that second level of slave owner, there is what we call the imperial use of the title curios in biblical days and here in its imperial sense it is used only for one who is deemed to be the supreme sovereign, the supreme ruler. [00:14:36]

The early Christians were martyred in bunches they uh fed to the lions they were killed by gladiators they became human torches in the gardens of sea of nero they were placed as cannon fodder in the circus maximus and you wonder why all those Christians were getting killed all over the place. [00:15:34]

The Christians were they were in deep trouble because they would say look we want to pay our taxes we want to be respectable citizens we'll drive our chariots within the speed limit we'll bend over backwards to be model citizens and the empire will do all those things that you want us to do but please we can't say kaiser curios. [00:17:07]

The new testament says some puzzling things one of which is that we cannot say that Jesus is lord except by the holy ghost you familiar with that passage a man cannot say that Jesus is lord except by the holy spirit. [00:17:49]

Jesus makes it clear that it is possible for human beings to open their mouths and say Jesus is lord without any help from god the holy spirit it's very possible to make a hypocritical dishonest confession of faith. [00:18:16]

It was written at a time when people didn't get up and say Jesus is lord unless they meant it because to say it out loud publicly was to put your life on the line it's to say my ultimate allegiance is to the one who has ultimate authority on heaven and earth and he is curious the lord. [00:19:36]

All authority on heaven in heaven and on earth has been given to me now that's a radical claim what would you think of me if I walked in here and I said look now you listen to what I say and you can evaluate it and you can say this guy knows what he's talking about or he doesn't know what he's talking about. [00:20:38]

Therefore god has highly exalted him and given him the name which is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee would bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is lord to the glory of god the father. [00:24:29]

The title that Paul is speaking of that is the highest name the name that is above every name is the title lord it's the title curios so that the name of Jesus he's not saying the name Jesus is the highest name but at the very name of Jesus Jesus is the one who's given the highest name. [00:26:04]

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