THE MASTER OF ALL THINGS

PSALM 8

O Lord, our Lord, [O Yahweh, our Master], how majestic is Your name in all the earth!

(Psalm 8:1a).

Today we consider the name Lord. Most of our English Bibles actually provide two versions of the word Lord. When we see it written in small capitals, Lord, it is a translation of the name Yahweh, which we considered yesterday. The Jews of Jesus’ day refused to say this divine name out loud for fear of accidentally violating the third commandment by taking God’s name in vain. Thus, they always substituted the spoken word Lord for it.

The Hebrew word for Lord is Adonai, which can also be translated Master. It is a title for God rather than a name. It means Supreme Master, and focuses on the sovereignty or lordship of God. Psalm 8:1 begins, “Yahweh, our Master,” associating God’s supreme name (Yahweh) with His supreme title (Master).

Probably the most offensive aspect of the Christian message as far as the unconverted Jews was concerned was the proclamation that Jesus is Lord. To say that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, was offensive, of course, but to say that He is Lord was most offensive, for it means that Jesus is God. It means that Jesus is the Master, the Adonai, of the Old Testament. It means that Jesus is Yahweh, the God of Israel.

When Thomas saw Jesus after His resurrection, he confessed, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Philippians 2 tells us that God has given Jesus the name above every name, the name Lord. Paul wrote that only by the Holy Spirit’s power could first-century believers use the title Lord for Jesus (1 Corinthians 12:3). It provoked the Jews to call Jesus Lord, and it also provoked the Romans, who regarded Caesar as the continuing incarnation of God and thus as supreme lord. Nowadays, we use the word Lord without such fear, and it has cheapened the meaning of this majestic tide for us.

Hundreds of times the New Testament refers to Jesus as Lord, and the early church wove that name into her worship throughout, especially in the familiar phrase, “Lord, have mercy upon us.” By using that name, the church confesses that Jesus is our Ruler and King, and that all true Christians acknowledge Him as Lord of lords.

CORAM DEO

Micah 3–5

WEEKEND

Micah 6–7 2 Kings 15:8–17:41

There is an odd heresy that teaches that Christians can have Jesus as Savior without acknowledging Him as Lord. If we have met Jesus, we know that He is Lord. Those who don’t bow to Him as Lord have never met Him as Savior. As you move into the weekend, allow Jesus’ title of Lord to impact your worship.

For further study: Psalm 110 • Amos 3:7–15 • Luke 20:34–44

WEEKEND