February 23, 2000

GREAT QUESTIONS OF THE BIBLE:
"Why do you call me Lord... and do not what I say?"
Luke 6:46
___The word "Lord" is the most frequently used term for Jesus in the New Testament. It occurs over 250 times. Twenty-three of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament use the term "Lord." Only in Titus and the three letters of John do you fail to find the term "Lord."
___ As you read the New Testament, it is clear that prior to the Resurrection, those who approached Jesus called him prophet, rabbi or teacher. But following the Resurrection,

CHARLES DAVENPORT Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tulia

most of those who approached Jesus used the term "Lord."
___ In fact, Jesus claimed to be "Lord." When he gathered in the upper room with his disciples for the Last Supper, he washed their feet and then said, "You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am" (John 13:13).
___ In defining the word "Lord," terms like master, ruler or owner are used. Clearly, the one who is "Lord" is the one in control. This position as "Lord" that Jesus claimed is confirmed by those who became his followers.
___ Saul, the great persecutor of the church, had an encounter with the Lord while on the way to Damascus. When confronted by the Lord, the first words from the lips of Saul were, "Who are you, Lord?" When doubting Thomas finally came face to face with the risen Lord, his response was, "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28).
___ The meaning of the word "Lord" is clear. The problem is not in understanding the word or concept. The problem is in actually making Jesus Lord of our lives.
___ The 10th chapter of the book of Acts tells us about the experience of Simon Peter in the city of Joppa. He was on a rooftop to pray and while there "fell into a trance." In the trance, he saw a vessel that had the shape of a huge sheet caught up at the four corners descending from above. Inside were all kinds of God's creatures, many of them considered unclean and therefore unfit for human consumption by the Jews. Simon Peter was a product of his upbringing and when commanded to "rise, kill and eat" objected, saying, "Not so, Lord." Think about his reply. Do you see the conflict in it? In three simple words, he both acknowledged Jesus is "Lord" and is to be obeyed and then refused to do what the Lord told him to do.
___ Our first century Simon Peter is a prototype for many of us 21st century followers of Jesus. Like him, we verbally acknowledge Jesus is to be "Lord" but then struggle over doing what he has commanded us to do. Jesus commanded us to love one another, to share the good news and to regularly gather for worship.
___ Yet too often love is absent today even among Christians. Few Christians ever talk to a lost person about their relationship to the Lord. And many think nothing of missing worship on the Lord's Day for personal pleasure.
___ Remember, if Jesus is "Lord," then obedience is neither optional or debatable.
___ So, the next time you are tempted to say "no" to one of the commandments of our Lord, remember, Jesus is still asking, "Why do you call me Lord ... and do not what I say?" (Luke 6:46).




Previous Columns: 7/14, 7/21, 7/28, 8/4, 8/11, 8/18, 8/25, 9/1, 9/8, 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20 10/27, 11/17, 11/24, 12/1,12/15, 12/1,1/5, 1/12. 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16.

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