Lord and Christ

January 24

(Acts 2:33-36 NIV) “Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. {34} For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand {35} until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. {36} "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." "'

(Matthew 26:62-68 NIV) "Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" {63} But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." {64} "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." {65} Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. {66} What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered. {67} Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him {68} and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?""

(Romans 10:8-11 NIV)  "But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: {9} That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {11} As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.""

Peter preached that God had made Jesus both Lord and Christ. This is the declaration that got Jesus killed, and the truth the apostles would be martyred for teaching. These words can still get you killed. People are beheaded, stoned, or thrown off tall buildings for believing this. At the minimum, you will likely be ostracized and ridiculed for witnessing to this truth. Why? Because, if Jesus really is both Lord and Christ, we must do what He says. He is the Boss. You cannot ignore His words just because they are inconvenient or difficult. You cannot selectively obey someone who is both Lord and Christ. We serve Him. We bow down to Him. If you preach this truth, and live it out today, you will likely be persecuted. But it’s still the truth, and Peter was willing to risk his life and his reputation to preach it. We should be willing to do the same. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day