Reflection on Jn 13:13

You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so,

for that is what I am.

Jesus Himself says to you: ‘You call Me your Teacher and Lord,’ and He adds: ‘and that is what I am.’

In this short Bible study, we will examine some quotes from Scripture and consider whether Jesus truly is my Lord. If He is not, and if my ego is my god, then I must pray: Jesus, be truly my Lord! Let us call out to Jesus from the depths of our hearts. Only then can we confess with the repentant Thomas: ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus, be truly my Lord and God!

Jesus Christ is Saviour and Lord. Of all the titles of Jesus, the title ‘Lord’ became by far the most commonly used, wide-spread and important. It would hardly be going too far to say that the word ‘Lord’ became a synonym for the name of ‘Jesus’.

What does Jesus mean to you? Which areas of your life do you feel are subject to His control? Anyone who wishes to be His disciple must carefully consider this often overlooked aspect of Christian practice.

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. Titles reveal important information about the person to whom they refer. What are Jesus Christ’s titles in the following verses?

Jn 13:13

Acts 2:36

Rev 19:16

Summarize what these titles reveal about Jesus Christ.

2. Jesus Christ is Lord of…

Col 1:18

Col 1:16-17

Rom 14:9

Christ should have the same place in our hearts that He holds in the universe.

3. Write your own definition of the word ‘Lord’ as you feel it applies to Jesus Christ.

4. Examine Philippians 2:9-11. How has God exalted Jesus Christ?

5. How do the angels acknowledge Christ’s Lordship in Revelation 5:11-12?

6. Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. How did you become God’s possession? Therefore, what should you do?

Jesus Christ, Lord of lords, has always existed and always will. Not all people presently acknowledge Him as their Lord, but that does not alter the fact of His Lordship. All will someday acknowledge Christ as Lord, but the privilege of acknowledging and obeying His Lordship is possible now. Allow Christ to be the Lord of your life – by decision followed by daily practice.

ACKNOWLEDGE HIS LORDSHIP BY DECISION

7. What place should Christ hold in a believer’s life? Col 1:18

Christ is present in all Christians; Christ is prominent in some Christians; but in only a few Christians is Christ pre-eminent.

8. What are we commanded to do in Romans 12:1?

Why should you do this?

9. Check any of the sentences below which apply to you.

a.I generally think or feel that…

– Jesus doesn’t really understand my problems.

– He may want me to do something I can’t.

– He may want me to enter a career which I could not enjoy.

– He will prevent me from getting married.

– He will take away my enjoyment of possessions, hobbies, or friends.

– He can help me in the “big” things, but He doesn’t care about the little things.

b. Are there any other fears which have prevented you from giving Christ access to every area of your life?

c. How does the statement in Jeremiah 29:11 dispel these fears?

A clear and definite activity of the will is involved in recognizing His Lordship, since He is to be Lord of all. By her “I will,” the bride at the marriage altar, ideally, forever enthrones her groom in her affections. In subsequent years she lives out in detail all that was implied in that momentary act of the will. A similar enthronement of Christ can result from a similar act of the will, for the same decision as enthrones Christ automatically dethrones self.

10. Consider the following questions and check the appropriate box:

                                                                                                                     ME                         JESUS

Who knows perfectly what is best for my life?

Who is most able to do what is best for my life?

Who desires at all times what is truly best for my life?

Why?

11. Prayerfully reflect on the Lordship of Christ. Have you decided to acknowledge Jesus’ Lordship in your life? YES  NO

ACKNOWLEDGE HIS LORDSHIP IN PRACTICE

Good intentions don’t guarantee good results.

A good start does not ensure a strong finish – decision is only the beginning. Once you have decided to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ in your life, you will prove that He is Lord by submitting to Him hour by hour and obeying Him in the daily affairs of life. Some of these areas are represented in the following illustration.

12. Take a few moments to evaluate your practice of the Lordship of Jesus Christ in these areas. A good way to determine if Christ is in control is to ask, “Am I willing to do whatever Christ desires in this area?” or “Will I be able to thank God for whatever may happen in this area?”

a) Are there any areas in the illustration which you are not allowing Christ to control?

b) Are there other areas which you are not allowing Christ to control?

c) What can you do in these areas to acknowledge Christ’s Lordship?

We should not be concerned about what we would do for the Lord if we only had more money, time, or education. Instead, we must decide what we will do with the things we have now. And what really matters is not who or what we are, but whether Christ controls us.

13. Whenever you assume control of your life, you will soon become unhappy and anxious. What did Peter say you can do? 1Pe 5:6-7

14. What can happen if cares and worries are not committed to Christ? Mk 4:18-19

How do you think this takes place?

Question for reflection:

In Luke 9:23, what three things is the person who decides to follow Christ called to do?

15. Read Colossians 3:23-24. Underline the best answer below and explain why it is better than the other two.

Paul said a Christian should:

a) Serve Christ more sincerely than he serves people.

b) Not try to mix his religion with his everyday life.

c) Do ordinary tasks wholeheartedly because he is really serving Christ.

16. According to Luke 6:46, what is a good way to evaluate if Christ is truly Lord of your life?

17. Read Luke 18:28-30.

a. What had the apostles done?

b. How did Jesus respond?

18. What does the Lordship of Christ mean to you personally?

SUMMARY

The Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is declared to be Lord in the Scriptures. He is worthy to be Lord because of who He is and what He has done.

Acknowledge His Lordship by decision

Although Jesus Christ is Lord, He is not pre-eminent in the heart of every Christian. To make Christ King in his heart, a Christian must decide to surrender to Him and acknowledge His authority every day in all areas of his life.

Acknowledge His Lordship in practice

Various areas of a believer’s life may not be subject to the control of Christ. The Christian should submit these areas to Christ and continue to recognize that Christ’s control of his life is for his own welfare and joy.

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