"Jesus Our Lord"

It is the part of faith to accept great contrasts, if laid down in the Word, and to make them a part of her daily speech.

This name, Lord, is a great contrast to incarnation and humiliation.

In the manger, in poverty, shame, and death, Jesus was still Lord.

These strange conditions for “our Lord” to be found in are no difficulties to that faith which is the fruit of the Spirit.

For she sees in the death of Jesus a choice reason for his being our Lord. Philippians 2:7–11. “Wherefore God has highly exalted him.”

She delights in that Lordship as the fruit of resurrection; but there could have been no resurrection without death. Acts 2:32–36.

She hears the voice of Jehovah behind all the opposition endured by Jesus proclaiming him Lord of all. Psalms 2; 110.

It never happens that our faith in Jesus for salvation makes us less reverently behold in him the Lord of all. He is “Jesus” and also “our Lord.” “Born a child, and yet a King.” “My Beloved,” and yet “My Lord and my God.”

Our simple trust in him, our familiar love to him, our bold approaches to him in prayer, our near and dear communion with him, and, most of all, our marriage union with him, still leave him “our Lord.”

I. HIS TENDER CONDESCENSIONS ENDEAR THE TITLE. “Jesus our Lord” is a very sweet name to a believer’s heart.

1. We claim to render it to him specially as man, “who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification”: verse 25. As Jesus of Nazareth he is Lord.

2. We acknowledge him as Lord the more fully and unreservedly, because he loved us, and gave himself for us.

3. In all the privileges accorded to us in him he is Lord:—

   • In our salvation, we have “received Christ Jesus the Lord” Colossians 2:6.
   • In entering the church we find him the head of the body, to whom all are subject. Ephesians 5:23.
   • In our life-work he is Lord. “We live unto the Lord”: Romans 14:8. We glorify God in his name. Ephesians 5:20.
   • In resurrection he is the firstborn from the dead. Colossians 1:18.
   • At the Advent his appearing will be the chief glory. Titus 2:13.
   • In eternal glory he is worshiped forever. Revelation 5:12, 13.

4. In our dearest fellowship at the table he is “Jesus our Lord.”

   • It is the Lord’s table, the Lord’s supper, the cup of the Lord, the body and blood of the Lord; and our object is to show the Lord’s death. 1 Corinthians 11:20, 26, 27, 29.

II. OUR LOVING HEARTS READ THE TITLE WITH PECULIAR EMPHASIS.

1. We yield it to him only. Moses is a servant, but Jesus alone is Lord. “One is your Master”: Matthew 23:8, 10.

2. To him most willingly. Ours is delighted homage.

3. To him unreservedly. We wish our obedience to be perfect.

4. To him in all matters of law-making and truth-teaching. He is Master and Lord: his word decides practice and doctrine.

5. To him in all matters of administration in the church, and in providence. “It is the Lord, let him do what seems him good”: 1 Samuel 3:18.

6. To him trustfully, feeling that he will act a Lord’s part right well. No king can be so wise, good, great as he. Job 1:21.

7. To him forever. He reigns in the church without successor. Now, as in the first days, we call him Master and Lord. Hebrews 7:3.

III. WE FIND MUCH SWEETNESS IN THE WORD “OUR.”

1. It makes us remember our personal interest in the Lord.

   • Each believer uses this title in the singular, and calls him from his heart, “My Lord.”
   • David wrote, “Jehovah said unto my Lord.”
   • Elizabeth spoke of “The mother of my Lord.”
   • Magdalene said, “They have taken away my Lord.”
   • Thomas said, “My Lord and my God.”
   • Paul wrote, “The knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord,” etc.

2. It brings a host of brethren before our minds; for it is in union with them that we say “our Lord”; and so it makes us remember each other. Ephesians 3:14, 15.

3. It fosters unity, and creates a holy clanship, as we all rally around our “one Lord.” Saints of all ages are one in this.

4. His example as Lord fosters practical love. Remember the foot-washing and his words on that occasion. John 13:14.

5. Our zeal to make him Lord forbids all self-exaltation. “Be not you called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ. Neither be you called masters,” etc.: Matthew 23:8, 10.

6. His position as Lord reminds us of the confidence of the church in doing his work. “All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth. Go you, therefore, and teach,” etc: Matthew 28:18, 19. “The Lord working with them”: Mark 16:20.

7. Our common joy in Jesus as our Lord becomes an evidence of grace, and thus of union with each other. 1 Corinthians 12:3.

Let us worship Jesus as our Lord and God.

Let us imitate him, copying our Lord’s humility and love.

Let us serve him, obeying his every command.

Gems

It ought to be the great care of every one of us to follow the Lord fully. We must in a course of obedience to God’s will, and service to his honor, follow him universally, without dividing; uprightly, without dissembling; cheerfully, without disputing; and constantly, without declining: and this is following him fully.—Matthew Henry.

A disciple of Christ is one that gives up himself to be wholly at Christ’s disposing; to learn what he teaches, to believe what he reveals, to do what he commands, to avoid what he forbids, to suffer what is inflicted by him or for him, in expectation of that reward which he has promised. Such a one is a disciple of Christ, and he, and none else, is a Christian.—David Clarkson.

It was thought a wondrous act of condescension when King George III. visited the tent of the dying gipsy woman in Windsor forest, and entered into religious conversation with her. What shall we think of him, who, though he was the King of glory, came down to us, and took our sins and sorrows upon himself, that he might bring us into fellowship with himself forever?

A little child hearing others speak of the Lord Jesus asked, “Father, was it our Jesus?” In the same sweet simplicity of faith let us speak of “Jesus our Lord.”

Some years ago, an aged minister, who had long and lovingly known Christ, was on his death-bed. Memory had gone. In relation to those he loved best it was a perfect blank. But some one whispered in his ear, “Brother, do you know Jesus Christ?” With a voice of rapture he exclaimed,

“Jesus, my Lord! I know his name; His name is all my trust; Nor will he put my hope to shame,

Nor let my soul be lost.”