“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
Jesus is Lord. We hear that and say that a lot, but what does it mean? It means He rules. He rules us. He rules the world. He rules all of creation. He gets to call the shots and He is our judge.
So, how does Jesus rule?
Jesus’ rule can be divided into three kingdoms, the kingdom of power, the kingdom of grace, and the kingdom of glory. He rules over each absolutely, but differently.
The Kingdom of Power:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. – Matthew 28:18
Christ is the King of all of creation. He is the king of the land and the seas. He rules over all people, even those who do not believe in Him. In this kingdom, He rules by His almighty power. No one is above Him and His Law is final.
The Kingdom of Grace:
And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one…I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. – John 17:11, 15
This is the kingdom of all who believe in Jesus, His church. His Law is still good and true, but He judges us not by the Law, but rather by His grace as displayed on the cross. He rules in forgiveness and changes us from the inside out. We are His and are called to be in the world, but not of it, living as His ambassadors of reconciliation.
The Kingdom of Heaven:
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. – 2 Timothy 4:18
Jesus is the ruler of heaven and earth. In heaven, He also reigns as God, whether it be over angels or those in the church who have gone to be with our Lord. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
So, yes, Jesus is Lord! I pray that for you, as for me, You are in His Kingdom of Grace, trusting His work on the cross and being ruled by His grace and forgiveness.
Dear Jesus,
You are the creator and ruler of all. Create in me a clean heart and fill me with Your Spirit. Rule over my heart and mind and draw me continually to You and Your promises of Grace and forgiveness.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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