We watched a small portion of the US Republican Convention
last night. This morning it occurred to me that if Donald Trump becomes
president, there will be people who respect him because they support and agree
with him, and people who must call him ‘the President’ whether they respect him
or not. No matter what their opinion is, the president IS the President.
After Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, He said to
them . . .
“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.” (John 13:13)
“Lord” was usually a title of respect something like our
word “Sir” rather than a designation of authority. In the ancient world,
calling someone “Master” was more like calling them “Sir” rather than our
contemporary definition of the word “Lord.”
However, there is a sense throughout the Gospels that the
disciples were thinking of Jesus as an authority figure as well as ‘Sir’ or
even ‘Master.’ They knew He was worthy of their respect. This verse seems to
have that sense of “Lord” meaning someone who has authority over all things,
rather than a mere title.
That said, whether I call Him that or not, Jesus IS Teacher
and Lord. My opinion does not change who He is. This is not a popular way of
thinking. Many assume that if they think a person is bad or good or anything
else, that opinion makes it true.
How I think about another person affects both of us. If I don’t
like that person, they may treat me with a different attitude because of it. However,
how I think about Jesus affects the way I respond to Him, but it does not
change who He is. The more I get to know Him, the more He changes me, but He
never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
But my sinful self must change. Wanting to do my own thing always
goes against His instructions and His commands. Chambers says Jesus never
insists on having authority but leaves people free to make their choices. While
this seems true from a human perspective, the Bible says, “Many are the plans
in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21) He is Lord of all.
Regardless of the ‘freedoms’ we think we have, His purposes will stand.
Chambers says that if the Lord insists upon obedience, He
would become a taskmaster and cease to have authority. I understand what he is
trying to say, that forced obedience on my part is not true obedience, but I do
not agree that Jesus never insists on obedience. My experience with Him
presents many occasions where His insistence came through loud and clear. His
will is done — regardless of my kicking
and screaming. He IS Lord; I am not.
Obedience is a bad word only for a rebellious heart. Calling
Jesus Teacher and Master is resisted only by those who refuse to learn His
ways, refuse to respect Him, and refuse to cooperate, but eventually every knee
will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, even those who don’t want
to do it.
1 comment:
Along with a friend: “If our Lord insisted on our obedience, He would simply become a taskmaster and cease to have any real authority. He never insists on obedience, but when we truly see Him we will instantly obey Him. Then He is easily Lord of our life, and we live in adoration of Him from morning till night. The level of my growth in grace is revealed by the way I look at obedience. We should have a much higher view of the word obedience, rescuing it from the mire of the world.” – Chambers
How sad, if truly we have been rescued from ourselves, and our sin by Christ, why wouldn’t I be willfully and cheerfully obedient? Is it that my view of obedience is in fact, still tainted by the world’s (or flesh) understanding and resistance to obedience, or could there still be, possibly, areas of myself that have yet to be crucified with Christ? Paul said, that he died daily—so must I. When I understand that salvation is, giving all that I know of myself, to all that I know of God, then moment-by-moment, and day-after-day there is the revelation of choices to, either OBEDIENTLY follow with delight, or go away sorrowfully. Faith and experience says, I can assuredly and joyfully OBEY!
Post a Comment