Jesus is Lord

"What sign from God will you show us that gives you the right to do kick out all the money changers in the Temple?" the Jewish leaders demanded.

"Destroy this temple," Jesus answered, "and in three days I will raise it again."

Based on John 2:18-19

Jesus is Lord. He is Lord because he died for us and rose from the dead. He is also Lord because he is God and man.

What does the word "Lord" mean? Like the word "Sir," the title "Lord" is a sign of respect. The people of Israel and Judea addressed God as Lord because of his power. The God who created everything saved them from slavery and chose them to be his people. Even when the people drifted away from God and were punished for their sin, God promised the people he would be faithful. He would send them a Messiah, a Christ, to save them.

God sent the people more than a Messiah. He sent them his very Son, Jesus. Jesus showed he had God's power with his teaching and miracles. And he showed everyone he was God in his death and resurrection.

When we say "Jesus is Lord," we profess our belief that Jesus is God.

Jesus is God and Man

"If you only knew what God gives and who asked you for a drink," Jesus said, "you'd ask him for a drink. And he would give you water that makes people come alive!"

Based on John 4:13-14

Why is Jesus Lord? Because God wants to share his very life with us through Jesus. When we receive God's life, we truly come alive!

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, preachers in the early Church traveled to share that message with everyone they met. Many did believe. But some began to wonder: "Only God can share his life with us. Jesus is God. But how can he be a man?" Some people thought Jesus was like a ghost who appeared to his followers. Some even denied that he died on the cross!

But the Church taught that Jesus is God and man. Every quality we can claim God has, we can claim Jesus has. And every common quality, ability, and experience people have, Jesus had. Jesus is Lord because he is God. He is also Lord because he is truly a human being. In this way, Jesus shared God's life with us, as one of us.

The life Jesus offered is with us now. We have the opportunity to grow in this life. Through our words and actions, we can show others Jesus is our Lord. And we won't be like the fruitless tree in a parable Jesus told the people:

"A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard. He looked for fruit on the tree, but didn't find any. So he said to the gardener, "Look at this tree! For the past three years, I've come looking for fruit on this tree. But, I don't find any! So, cut it down. Why does it waste good soil?'

"Sir,' the gardener replied, 'leave it alone for a year. I will dig a trench around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit, great! If it doesn't, then you can cut it down.'"

Based on Luke 13:5-9