Episode 9: Our Lord | We Believe: A Study of the Apostles Creed
Exploring the Apostles’ Creed: The Meaning of "Our Lord"
In today’s world, where morals and values can feel ever-changing, the Apostles' Creed offers us a firm anchor. It declares the unchanging truths that ground our faith. One of the most powerful parts of the Creed is the phrase, “We believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.” But what does it really mean for us to say, “Jesus is Lord”? Let's dive into the significance of this declaration.
A Personal and Communal Declaration
The Apostles’ Creed begins with the words, “I believe,” which makes it a personal statement. It’s an individual affirmation of faith, yet, as we reflect on the Creed, we recognize that it's made in the context of community. We affirm our faith not just for ourselves but alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ. This communal aspect is important because it reminds us that our faith is not isolated; we are part of something larger than ourselves.
When we say, “Jesus is Lord,” we are declaring more than just His divinity. The word “Lord,” from the Greek Kyrios, carries deep significance. It is a title of both honor and authority. Jesus, as Lord, holds all power and authority. He is the one who has dominion over our lives, the one who decides what happens to us, and the one to whom we owe ultimate allegiance. To call Jesus Lord means that He is the one we submit to above all else.
The Call to Allegiance
To declare Jesus as our Lord is to make a profound statement about where our ultimate loyalty lies. This isn’t just about choosing Jesus over other things—it’s about rejecting any claim on our allegiance that would rival His. In our world today, there are many things vying for our loyalty—political ideologies, cultural movements, corporations, or even personal ambitions. But none of these should come before our allegiance to Jesus.
As we reflect on history, we see examples of this kind of allegiance in the early church. In the Roman Empire, Christians were often pressured to declare that Caesar was Lord in order to do business or participate in society. To refuse was to risk persecution, poverty, and even death. Similarly, today, in many parts of the world, Christians still face the choice of whether to confess Jesus as Lord or risk the consequences. For us in the West, the pressures are more subtle—our allegiances may shift toward materialism, success, or status. But in either case, the call is the same: Jesus is Lord, and no one else is.
The Lordship of Jesus Over Every Aspect of Our Lives
To say that Jesus is Lord is not a casual phrase. It means He is Lord over every aspect of our lives, not just the convenient parts. In the Gospel of Matthew, we read the story of the rich young ruler, who approached Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. When Jesus told him to sell all he had and give to the poor, the young man walked away sad because he wasn’t willing to surrender everything. This moment exposes a deep truth: we may be willing to give Jesus control over many parts of our lives, but are we willing to let Him reign over all?
In our modern context, this often means examining our hearts and lives to see where we are holding back. Are we placing our trust in money, status, or comfort? Do we resist surrendering certain areas of our lives because we want to remain in control? Declaring Jesus as Lord calls us to a radical surrender, a turning away from self-rule and submission to His authority.
The Call to Unity
Finally, declaring that Jesus is Lord carries with it a call to unity. In the early church, the Creed was used in baptismal rites, where people of all walks of life—from wealthy Roman senators to slaves—came together to declare Jesus as Lord. In Galatians 3:28, Paul writes that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female. All are one in Christ. This is the unity that Jesus as Lord brings, breaking down the divisions that separate us and calling us to live as one body.
As we recite the Creed together, we are reminded that our differences are secondary to our shared allegiance to Jesus. Whether we come from different backgrounds, social statuses, or cultures, we are united under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion: A Daily Call to Submit
Saying “Jesus is Lord” is not a one-time statement but a daily call to surrender. It’s a recognition that Jesus holds ultimate authority in our lives, over everything. As we go about our daily lives, we need to continually ask ourselves: Where am I seeking to be king instead of submitting to His Lordship? Where have I allowed something else to take the place of Jesus in my heart?
May we continually return to this foundational truth, giving Jesus the allegiance He deserves and inviting Him to be Lord over every aspect of our lives, today and every day.
