Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 40:1-17; Revelation 7:1-17
”I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord.” (Second Article, Creed)
“Is my Lord.” What does that mean? What comes next: “Who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death.”
That's what the word, “Lord,” means. It means, “Savior.” As in, “And you shall call His name, JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). As in, “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13). It does not mean “boss,” as many seem to think. Jesus is your Savior, but is He also your Lord? Ugh!
You've seen the bracelets, “WWJD.” They bid you to ask, “What would Jesus do?” Be careful with that. For the big thing with Jesus is not you under the Law, but you under the Gospel. That bracelet, however, can easily present Jesus to you more in the way of the law than in the way of the Gospel. “Sure, Jesus is Savior. But, is He your Lord?” What does your behavior say? No? Then you're probably not saved yet. Again, ugh!
Thank God for the Catechism. It teaches you better. Christ gave you His all so that you may “be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness.” Everlastingly righteous, innocent and blessed — that's what you are now. The name, “Lord,” says so! His Word and Holy Supper keep it so.
What would Jesus do? That's okay to ask. The Scriptures do present Jesus to you as your example. However, they most of all present Him to you as your Savior. What would Jesus do? Seek His guidance. Search His Word. Strive to be Christ to your neighbor. But, at the end of the day, what would Jesus do? He would forgive you and save you from all your sins. WWJD!
Imagine being acceptable to parents, teachers, and others. When it comes to God, —don't imagine it, believe it!. That' is His promise to you. How do I know? “Just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.” That's how. Jesus' resurrection is God's way of saying that He accepted Jesus' sacrifice for you on the cross, and that He now accepts you, regards you — apart from works — as forever righteous, innocent, and blessed.
That means, you should only look to Jesus as example after you have first taken Him as Savior. Receive Him as such every day in His Word, in your Baptism, and in His Holy Supper. For that is what He is for you, first and foremost: your Savior.