What do we mean when we say “Jesus is Lord”?

What is He lord of?

A country? A people? An idea? And what about other so-called “lords”? What are they lords of?

Last week’s message on Acts 16 ended with Paul leaving the Roman colony Philippi in relative peace after he had been jailed without a trial. This week, in Acts 17:1-15, we will see Paul arrive in another culturally-Roman city: Thessalonica. Just like in Philippi, Paul is going to encounter opposition in Thessalonica. But this time, the accusations against Paul are political. His accusers claim that he is preaching, “There is another king, Jesus.”

When we say, “Jesus is Lord,” we are speaking politics. Jesus is a king. But Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world and he is a king unlike any other in the world. Sometimes, the kingdoms of this world oppose the reign of Christ. Sometimes they mock it. Sometimes they distort it. Sometimes, the world tries to co-opt the reign of Christ toward its own ends.

But Jesus has no interest in the kingdoms of this world. Its thrones are far too small. Jesus is “the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God. To him be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17 ESV)

See you on Sunday!