Kurios

Kurios

Luke 11:37-39

When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.”

Luke in his gospel stresses the humanity of Jesus (in comparison to John who focuses on his deity). However, Luke does not hold back from using a title for Jesus that actually had the greatest significance for the early church: Kurios, Lord. Luke uses it over 70 times. On some of those occasions it could mean master or owner. But by the time Luke is writing his gospel it was definitely used by the followers of Jesus to express their worship of their risen and ascended Christ. It is the equivalent to the Hebrew word Yahweh or Jehovah. If there was one declaration that a follower of Jesus needs to make throughout history and in every part of the globe it is this: Jesus is Lord. It is a declaration of obedience.

Kurios declares that Jesus has the supreme power, control and authority.

Now look at what Luke does when he writes, “But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. Then the Lord said to him …”

Do you see it?

In the context of Jesus being accused of being a servant of Satan and a talk from him regarding light over darkness and now in this Pharisees home who becomes offended because Jesus doesn’t follow the ritual washing of hands: “Then the Lord said …” He doesn’t use the name Jesus but the title, Lord.

There is a Pharisee in all of us and before Luke goes any further he reminds us that Jesus is Lord.

Maybe today you are anxious about some things in your life. Maybe you are a little surprised or even offended at what God seemingly has permitted to come near you. Maybe you are confused as to what God is doing.

We need reminding not only of the humanity of Jesus but His Lordship. He is supreme. There is no argument. We have no entitlement to being offended. He is God.

LORD, search me and know my heart. Look deep into the very depths of my heart. Into the places I hide so well from others and which I cover with religious and spirituality.