Why Do We Call Jesus “Lord”?

Question 34 of the Heidelberg Catechism asks why we call Jesus our Lord. The answer is that this title applies to His whole person—both His divinity and humanity. Christ’s divine nature secured redemption by presenting the atoning sacrifice to the Father, and His human nature paid the price through His death. Thus, He is Lord over all by virtue of both natures.

What Does It Mean to Be “Lord”?

To be Lord means having rightful claim and authority over something or someone. For Jesus, this claim over His Church is threefold:

1. Lord by Redemption
   • Jesus redeemed us with His blood, purchasing us entirely—body and soul. This means our whole selves belong to Him, and He has the authority to direct our lives completely.
   • Without Him, we were enslaved to sin and Satan, but He freed us by His sacrifice, becoming our rightful Master.
2. Lord by Preservation
   • As a good Lord, Jesus protects and preserves His people. He not only breaks the chains of sin but also secures us so that no one can return us to bondage.
   • John 10:28 reminds us of His promise: “No one will snatch them out of My hand.”
3. Lord by Appointment
   • God the Father ordained Christ to His role as Lord and gave us to Him. This is confirmed in John 17:6: “I have manifested Your name to the people whom You gave Me out of the world.”
   • Christ seals us as His own by giving us the Holy Spirit, who guarantees our heavenly inheritance.

How Should We Respond to Christ as Lord?

Recognizing Jesus as our Lord should fill believers with awe, comfort, and confidence. If Christ has redeemed and preserved us, there is nothing to fear in this world.

At the same time, His sacrifice should provoke deep thankfulness, leading us to:

• Live in obedience to His commands.
• Honor Him with both body and soul.
• Remain faithful to Him as a bride to her bridegroom.
• Boldly proclaim His name to the world in gratitude and love.

A Call to Unbelievers

For those who do not yet know Jesus as Lord in this special way, you are urged to seek Him. While Christ is Lord over all as Creator, He becomes Lord over His Church in a unique, saving relationship.

This Lordship is an act of grace: Christ redeemed His people by His blood, blotted out their sins, and renewed them in His image. If you do not have Him as your Lord, plead for His mercy and forgiveness, trusting in His promise to adopt you into the family of God and make you an heir alongside Him.

Closing Reflection

Christ’s Lordship demonstrates His unmatched power and love. No earthly lord can do what Christ has done—redeeming both body and soul, defeating sin and death, and securing eternal life for His people.

For believers, this truth should inspire gratitude, faithfulness, and service. For unbelievers, it is a call to come to Him, that He might become your Lord and Savior by His grace.

Prayer

The sermon concludes with a prayer of thanksgiving for the truths of Scripture, the faithful teaching of the Church, and the adoption we have as children of God through Christ. It asks for greater understanding of these truths and a deeper appreciation for the work of the Holy Spirit in revealing them to us.

From the sermon “The Only Begotten Son, Our Lord” Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 13, Questions 33 & 34