Indomitably King Jesus

1 Corinthians 15:25 (RSV) ²⁵For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 

From Westminster’s Larger Catechism:

Q45:  How doth Christ execute the office of a king?

 A45:  Christ executeth the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself,[1] and giving them officers,[2] laws,[3] and censures, by which he visibly governs them;[4] in bestowing saving grace upon his elect,[5] rewarding their obedience,[6] and correcting them for their sins,[7] preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings,[8] restraining and overcoming all their enemies,[9] and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory,[10] and their good;[11] and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God, and obey not the gospel.[12]

1.  Acts 15;14-16; Isa. 4:4-5; Gen. 49:10; Psa. 110:3

2.  Eph. 4:11-12; I Cor. 12:28

3.  Isa. 33:22

4.  Matt. 18:17-18; I Cor. 5:4-5

5.  Acts 5:31

6.  Rev. 2:10; 22:12

7.  Rev. 3:19

8.  Isa. 63:9

9.  I Cor. 15:25; Psa. 110:1-2

10. Rom. 14:10-11

11. Rom. 8:28

12. II Thess. 1:8-9; Psa. 2:8-9

What does it mean today to say that Jesus Christ is the “Lord of my life?” In England there is a “House of Lords.” It consists of more than 700 nobles, most of whom never attend. Its powers are limited to approving the budget and electing a committee, which amounts to a Final Appeals Courts – this committee, Court of Lords, chooses to review very few cases. This is our best modern day use of the word “lord.” In America we do not assign nobility to those who have a heritage of privilege and wealth. We certainly do not submit to anyone simply because he or she was born into wealth.

We think of landlord, war lord, and drug lord. The word “landlord” is morally neutral but the other two we always view in a negative light.  Still we confess that Jesus is Lord. In fact, Jesus is our King. If we were asked to confess Jesus as King of my life, would be do it?

I am no different from you in that I have lived in the sweet climate of egalitarian democracy all my life. I will never call any human my “king” or my “queen.” Yet I must call Jesus Lord and, even, the King of my life.

Jesus is said function as King is three respects; one, he commands us to do and be certain things and we must obey, second, he provides for his subjects and they need, and, third, he fights for us and defends us against our shared enemies. Jesus’ enemies are my enemies. To the degree that I am righteous, my enemies are His as well.