Dwight Fletcher | Why should I care that Jesus is alive?

LAST WEEK, we kicked off a new series on knowing the truth about Jesus. We live in a world that constantly tries to convince us that faith is for the non-thinkers who just want something to believe in. Nothing could be further from the truth. Along with the credible evidence that proves Jesus was a historical figure who lived, died and rose again, there is also transformational proof that Jesus is alive.

The reality is that Jesus’ followers were transformed after the resurrection. This is evidence that it happened. This little band of disciples went from fearful to bold overnight. They were willing to endure horrible torture and death because they knew Jesus was alive. Former atheist Lee Strobel writes, “Nobody willingly dies for something that they know is false.” They knew Jesus had died, they knew there was an empty tomb, and they had seen Him. Jesus is alive.

The truth is that many people don’t want to accept Jesus as real because they don’t want to make Him the Lord of their lives. Because, once we acknowledge the truth that God came in flesh to save us from our sin, we must also recognise that the death and resurrection of Jesus established Him as Lord.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter stated, “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36 NIV). The Lordship of Jesus was confirmed at the resurrection.

This is one of Scripture’s most significant doctrines. The word ‘Lord’ means ‘supreme in authority; master; ruler; and owner’. The fact that Christ rose from the dead three days after dying on the Cross proves that He is unlike any man in human history. That’s lordship!

When we confess “Jesus is Lord”, it comes with the understanding that He not only exercised power over 2,000 years ago, but He existed before all things and governs all things today. Furthermore, He will continue to master all things throughout eternity.

‘Lord’ is the predominant way that Jesus is identified in the New Testament. In the entire New Testament, Jesus is identified as “Saviour” only about 17 times (by my count). He is identified as “Lord” over 500 times. Some commentaries say it’s closer to 700.

The Holy Spirit, the writer of the New Testament, wants us to understand that Jesus Christ is Lord. Instead of glossing over this truth because we’ve heard it so many times before, let this sink in for a moment. The phrase “Lord Jesus Christ” is used over 70 times in Scripture because there is a powerful message behind it.

LORD JESUS CHRIST

• Jesus is His personal name, and it means Jehovah is salvation. In Matthew 1:21 (NKJV), the angel told Joseph, “… you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” As the name explains, “Jehovah is salvation” because He surrendered Himself for our sins on the Cross and was resurrected in power.

• Christ is His office. Peter said to Jesus, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16 NIV). Christ identifies Jesus as the anointed one sent from God to be a King and Deliverer. This was prophesied, and Jesus fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy that predicted the Messiah’s coming.

• Lord is His title. As “Lord”, He is the supreme ruler that conquered everything that confronted Him — death, disease, the devil, nature and everything in between.

We should be delighted that Jesus Christ is Lord because it is from His Lordship that, as Christians, we gain our hope. This is what we’ll discuss next week.