The apostle Paul reminded the church in Philippi that every believer should have the attitude of Jesus. Although he was God, Jesus took on the very nature of a servant and humbled himself. He became obedient to death, “even death on a cross”! Paul explains that because of Jesus’ work on the cross, God exalted him.

Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The word translated as Lord in English is the Greek word kyrios. It is used in the New Testament to refer to an owner or a person in authority. When people addressed Jesus as Lord, most were simply showing respect to him as a rabbi or teacher, much like we would use the word “sir” to show respect today.

However, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the title Lord took on a new meaning. After Jesus appeared to Thomas, the apostle who had doubted the resurrection, he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Over time, the title Lord became the name for Jesus. Christianity’s earliest confessions consisted of these powerful words: Jesus is Lord![1] Today, believers proclaim that Jesus is their personal Lord. He is the One we love and follow. He is our master, the One in charge of our lives. The true believer proclaims: Jesus is Lord!

Lord Jesus,
I proclaim you today as the One in charge. You are God; I am not. Help me follow your leading and proclaim with a life of obedience: Jesus is Lord!
In your name, I pray. Amen.

[1] Ann Spangler, The Names of God, 196.