When a Christian confesses “Jesus is Lord” he or she is making more than a personal statement of faith. The title “Lord” is fraught with political significance, as is evident in the vision of the victorious Christ that includes his wearing a robe on which “he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19 ). He is the one to whom “all authority in heaven and earth” was given and he wields it as Sovereign over all. There is no higher authority on this earth than the one whom we confess as Lord.
This is important for us to remember in the wake of the recent election. Too often we heard Christians speak fearfully of a loss of our religious liberties. Such liberties are a cherished benefit granted by the Constitution of this country, and the country would be wise to protect them. But Christians should not be acting out of fear when they cast their vote. While the Constitution may promise religious freedom, Jesus did not. Nevertheless, we are to hold fast to our allegiance to him for he is building his church, against which the gates of hell will not prevail.
One of the most familiar prophecies concerning the coming of Christ is from Isaiah 7:14, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” This was fulfilled historically in the conception and birth of Jesus. Significant to note is that this sign was first given to Ahaz, a king of Judah, who, out of fear, struck a deal with a pagan nation in an attempt to defend himself from an attack by an alliance that was threatening his kingdom. The sign was given by God to assure Ahaz that he had nothing to fear, He would take care of his foes. Alas, the king trusted the pagans more than Yahweh and paid the price for it.
The birth of Jesus is as much of a sign to us as it was to Ahaz, if not more so. It teaches us that the church needs to be mindful about whom we make political alliances with. We need to be governed by faith, not fear, for the one who we confess as Lord is the same one about whom it was prophesied “the government shall be upon his shoulder [and] . . . of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end . . .” (Isaiah 9:6-7). Jesus IS Lord.
