Lord or Teacher?

Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”  And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” – Matthew 26:21-22

Then Judas, who was betraying him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?”  — Matthew 26:25

A lot of Christians love to go to church and listen to someone teach about the Bible and Jesus, including myself.  But the real question all people who say they believe must answer is this, “Is Jesus really the Lord of my life?”  Each of the disciples called Jesus “Lord” in the above verses . . . all but one.  Judas called Him “Rabbi,” which is to call Him “Teacher.”  Hearing Jesus say that He knew who would betray him didn’t deter Judas one bit.  He still went and collected his 30 pieces of silver.

When you and I read the Bible, we aren’t to set it down and say, “that was good teaching.”  We are to set it down and say, “What does this look like applied to my life?”   I remember being confronted with the Bible’s teaching and having to decide if I was going to apply it.  I didn’t want to change my adulterous ways when confronted with Matthew 5:28, but I had to because I called Him the Lord of my life.  I didn’t want to work with the right attitude when confronted with Colossians 3:23, but I had to because I called Him Lord of my life.  I don’t want to deal with it when greed rises in me, but I must because I am told that I can’t serve God and money.  I don’t want to forgive the people inside the church who have hurt me the most, but if He is Lord, it isn’t optional.  Read the parable of the unmerciful servant, if you want to go to heaven, forgiveness is never optional.  None of His commands are suggestions, they are commands.

Sometimes we learn of things in the Bible that we didn’t even know were wrong.  Paul says in Romans 7:7, “I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”  Like Paul, I wouldn’t have thought it a big deal if I simply desired another person’s possessions.  But now, I say “I’d like to have a car like that one.”  I don’t say, “I’d love to have his car.”  I know it seems trivial, but I want to follow the commandments.  If we love Him, we will obey His commands (John 14:15)

The first few days of a fast are so difficult . . . I hate the headache and the withdrawals from all the junk I’ve eaten, but at some point, it is like the stone is moved away and Jesus is ever so real to me.  I find that it is all worth it.  I know I would never in 10 lifetimes choose to fast on my own.  But I read the bible one day and it said, “When you fast.”  It didn’t say, “If you decide to,” or “If you ever feel like it,” it said, “When you fast.”  I’m never going to feel like it.  In fact, I’ve rarely felt like obeying any of His commands.  

Yet I look back over my 33 years of following Him . . . I couldn’t be more thankful for all that He has done in me and for me.  There is no one like the Lord.

Lord, I could not be more thankful right now.  You are so good to me.  Despite my failures and despite that it took and sometimes still takes me so long to obey Your commands, You always get me there, and I always look back and say “Thank You . . . You knew what You were doing all along.”  You are and forever will be the best thing ever happen to me.  Help many who read this today go from calling You “Teacher,” and start calling You, “Lord.”  In 2025, may every person who calls themselves “Christian,” truly make You the Lord of their lives.  Send revival, Lord.  The harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few.  Amen.