Today's Worship: Jesus Christ is Lord!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:1,

 

"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings."

 

In his salutation to his readers James identifies himself by name as a servant of God and a servant of the "Lord Jesus Christ". Not simply as a servant to his older half-brother Jesus as such, but a servant to his half-brother as his "Lord".

 

In our culture the concept of "Lord" is not necessarily intuitive, it certainly isn't for me. We live in a day and a place where all are accorded an equal status, at least to a certain extent. The term "lord" indicates authority, someone to be served, someone our purpose in life is found in yielding to, bowing to, obeying. The online Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the term "lord" as, "one having power and authority over others: a ruler by hereditary right or preeminence to whom service and obedience are due."

 

I suspect some analogy can be drawn to the dynamics of employment. I am to serve my boss. However, if I am unhappy in any way, I can just quit. Possibly a better example would be my military experience. I was to obey those in command over me. Failure to do so would result in something painful.

 

My relationship with Jesus Christ is somewhat different. There are multiple aspects in relating to him. He is my Savior. He died for me that I might have an opportunity to become a part of his family. Having responded to his invitation I have all of his love and acceptance. He has become my advocate with our Heavenly Father. However, as James, he is my Lord as well - someone to be obeyed. In fact, my response to the gospel message required my acknowledgment of his "lordship" in my life. Paul put it this way, "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9.

 

I find Jesus Christ a fitting Lord, someone worthy of my every purpose to obey. (I cast that way as I certainly can't claim to have been a very good servant over the years.) Perfect in character and nature, accomplished in manifesting the greatest of love, I can't think of a single reason not to embrace Jesus Christ willingly and enthusiastically as James does: my Lord!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com