That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11

As presented on *The Lutheran Hour® by Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, April 3, 1977.

“Jesus Christ is Lord.” Christians have been saying that ever since Jesus Christ rose from the dead. They say it today because Jesus Christ is alive. It is not that He is alive because Christians believe in Him; they are believers because He is alive.

Writing to the first Christian congregation of what is now Europe, the Apostle Paul proclaimed the same great fact: “Jesus Christ is Lord.” He is Lord, whether you recognize Him or not. If you don’t recognize Him now, the day will come when you will have to acknowledge that He is the Lord. On that great day, when He returns to judge the world, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Everyone will see Jesus returning, surrounded by the armies of His angels. We have it from His own lips, and from the clear and straightforward testimony of His own men, who knew Him and talked with Him: “Jesus Christ is Lord.”

A remarkable thing about the apostolic witness to the second coming of the Lord is that Jesus told His people about His return in order to give them comfort! On that day, their faith in Him will be vindicated, He said. They may suffer all kinds of things now, but things will be reversed on that day.

His Lordship is the guarantee of joy for people who believe in Him. The certainty of their faith in Him and the grace that gives them the courage to love where others hate comes from His Lordship over all creation.

Lord God, help us to believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and to be comforted knowing You will take us with You on Judgment Day. Amen.

Taken from A Message of Hope: Proclaiming the Cross (selections from messages broadcast on *The Lutheran Hour, celebrating 75 years of proclaiming the promise).

Copyright © 2006 by Lutheran Hour Ministries

*The Lutheran Hour is the longest-running Christian radio broadcast in the world. It is a production of Lutheran Hour Ministries. For more information, visit www.lutheranhour.org.

Today's Bible Readings: Joshua 13-15    Luke 10:25-42

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