What’s in a Name?
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
Those closest to Jesus also began calling Him “Lord.” When preaching to Cornelius and those gathered in his house, Peter’s witness included the assertion, “The word which God sent to the children of Israel preaching peace through Jesus Christ — He is Lord of all” (Acts 10:36).
Oftentimes the Bible refers to Jesus simply as Lord. For example, Peter called out when he was sinking into the water after stepping out of the boat on the night of a storm, “Lord, save me” (Matt. 14:30). Rather frequently the Gospel writers use the simple term “Lord” in narrating events in the ministry of Jesus. Often this designation was joined to the name announced by the angel, resulting in the dual designation “Lord Jesus.”
On at least one occasion, the title “Lord” was combined with the title “Christ” to refer to Him as “the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:24). Furthermore, all three terms were sometimes combined to speak of Jesus as “the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31) or “Christ Jesus the Lord” (Col. 2:6). Jesus accepted this designation the night before His crucifixion when at the Last Supper, He declared, “You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am” (John 13:13).
A careful reading of the New Testament reveals that the term “Lord” was used in reference to Jesus in more than one way. Often the term “lord” was simply an ordinary form of polite address, similar to our use of “sir.” Quite possibly, this was the significance being expressed by a certain leper who addressed Jesus, “Lord (Sir), if you are willing, you can make me clean,” (Matt. 8:2) and when a Roman centurion called Jesus’ attention to an ill servant, “Lord (Sir), my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented” (Matt. 8:6).
In English translation the common term for “lord” carried such polite significance, leading translators to actually render the term as “sir,” as in Jesus’ parable of The Two Sons. The second son’s reply to his father’s request that his sons work in the family vineyard had such ordinary meaning when he replied, “I go, sir” (Matt. 21:30). The same term for “lord” also had this significance when some Greeks addressed Philip with their request, “Sir, we would see Jesus” (John 12:21).
In its highest use, however, “Lord” had overtones of authority or greatness as when used of a ruler or king, but especially so when used of Jesus. The great resurrection chapter in 1 Corinthians contrasts Adam and Christ by calling Adam the first man and Christ the second Man, saying, “The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord of heaven” (15:47). Acts 10:36 says of Jesus, “He is Lord of all.”
Spiritual significance
Using the term “Lord” in relation to Jesus has great spiritual significance. For example, in its divine or exalted meaning, “Lord” used in confessing faith in Jesus is the way of expressing what is required for a sinner to be saved, according to Romans 10:9–10, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Not only for the beginning of the Christian life but also in living out this new life in Christ, practical and important meaning that attaches to this designation for Jesus is captured in His famous question, “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)? Indeed, why?
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