A BIBLE READING.

Lord, signifies master, ruler, governor. Lordship, signifies Dominion, power, authority. These definitions are related to each other and to the subject.

Husband, is also a definition of Lord. The Anglo-Saxon word, Hlaford, from which our English word Lord is derived signifies Bread-keeper, and is applied to one who has the general care over, and control of a family. The title of Lord thus applied to Jesus Christ is expressive of a glorious fullness of power and love.

Bible students have doubtless been impressed with the numerous applications of this term to Christ in the New Testament. Familiar phrases applicable to Christ: “Lord of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:28. “Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:36. “Lord of glory.” 1 Cor 2:8. “Lord from Heaven.” 1 Cor 15:47. “One Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor 8:6. “One Lord, one faith and one baptism.” Eph 4:5.

I. He is Lord of dead and living. Rom 14:7, 9. “For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ both died and rose and revived, that he might be Lord, both of the dead and living.”

1. The fact is stated “Christ is Lord of both living and dead.”

2. How he became Lord: By death and resurrection.

3. Our responsibility: Being his we ought to obey him.

The reference in this text is to Christians. Christ died for all, and therefore has a claim upon the obedience of all. A Christian is one that recognizes the claims and yields obedience.

Why should anyone say, in the face of so plain a statement, that Christ has nothing to do with the dead but only with the living?

“Both of the dead and living.”

II. “He is Lord of Jew and Gentile.” Acts 10:34, 36. Then Peter opened his mouth and said, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that fears him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him…preaching peace by Jesus Christ: “He is Lord of ALL.”

The equality of Jew and Gentile under the Gospel was hard for Peter to learn. He was convinced by the vision of the unclean beasts, and the voice: “What God hath cleansed that call not thou common.” Verse 15. “There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord over all, is rich unto all that call upon him.” Rom 10:12. Here, as Joseph, Christ is the bountiful Bread-giver.

III. He is Lord of Angels as well as men. “All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth.” Matt 28:18. “Wherefore (in consequence of his condescension and obedience unto death) God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name [official position] which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in Heaven, [angels] and in Earth [living men] and under the Earth; [dead men] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:9, 11.

He who honors the Son honors the Father, and according to this passage whoever denies Christ’s Lordship over angels and both living and dead men dishonors the Father.

“Being made so much better than the angels as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they…and again…he saith, “Let all the angels of God worship him.” Heb 1:4, 6. They are his servants; therefore, he is their Lord. There is a clear contrast between Moses and Christ as mediators of the two covenants.

Under the old covenant, Moses received the law from God through angels, therefore the angels were superior to Moses; (Acts 7:53 and Gal 3:19) but in this dispensation Christ controls the angels, and under his loving administration they are ministering spirits to the “heirs of salvation.” Heb 1:14.

IV. As Lord he is the Great Teacher, Leader and Commander. “Behold I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.” Isa 55:4. “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go you THEREFORE and teach all nations, baptizing them…teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Matt 28:18, 20.

As Leader he is both our example in the life of obedience, and our Forerunner in the order of development, from the natural to the spiritual. The obedience is our work; the spiritual is our reward.

A great encouragement: He who has all power has said: “He that believeth and is baptized SHALL BE SAVED.”

A serious warning: The same Lord has said: He that believeth not SHALL BE CONDEMNED.”

We will continue with our examination of the Lordship of Christ in our next post.