One of the defining statements of Christianity is this – Jesus Christ is Lord.  You can make an argument that was the first “creed” of the Christian church, the belief that we hold to that really is essential.  Jesus Christ is Lord.  We believe it, we sing it, we know it.  He is Lord.

Today in Luke 7: 6-9, we get, to me, and an interesting glimpse of what that relationship looks like:

6And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, ‘Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; 7therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. 8For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, “Go,” and he goes, and to another, “Come,” and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this,” and the slave does it.’ 9When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.’

Jesus is going to heal the son of the Roman Centurian (commander).  The Roman, who was a Gentile, but also was kind to the Jewish people, sends word to Jesus basically saying, don’t come further.  I know how authority works.  You are Lord, whatever you say happens, will happen.  My soldiers do what I tell them to do, just as all things will do what you tell them to do.  I understand how authority works.

This man understood what it meant to say that Jesus is Lord.  All things will obey Him, all of creation.  Jesus was Lord then.  He remains Lord now.  I think this poses two thoughts for us today.

First, what does it mean to you to understand that all things obey Jesus?  Romans 8:28 says that all things will work for good.  That circumstance in your life that is robbing your peace and joy, know that Jesus is Lord, even in the midst of that.

But second, what does it mean to say that Jesus is Lord of our lives?  Do we do as He would wish?  Do we follow where He leads?  Do we trust where He calls?  He is not Lord in a theoretical sense, but He is Lord of the universe, as well as Lord of our lives.

What does it mean to you today to say that Jesus is Lord, even of your life?

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