In the early Church that statement ‘Jesus Christ is Lord’ was central to the preaching of St. Paul. As we know, he was the ‘Apostle to the Gentiles’, the one chosen to bring the good news that in Jesus of Nazareth ‘God has visited his people’ and that through his cross and resurrection ‘God and humanity are reconciled’, to those whom the Jews considered pagans, that is to those who were not Jews. In the context of the pagan world in which Paul lived this teaching about the lordship of Jesus was considered radical and revolutionary; indeed it led to persecution and martyrdom. This was because the Roman Emperors tended to be treated with divine honour; they personified the State, were hailed as Lord and trusted as Saviour. ‘Caesar is Lord’ summed it up. Paul said ‘No, Jesus Christ is Lord’. The powers of the world are being confronted with the one who is Lord of all. There can be no compromise. One cannot serve two masters; one must choose! Our Renewal of Baptismal Promises at Easter reminds us that we have chosen Christ!

In announcing that Jesus is Lord, Paul is saying that there is no area of existence or life, human or otherwise, that does not come up for critique in the light of the sovereignty of the crucified and risen Jesus. In Jesus’ name he is telling the world, and each of us, that there is a different way of being human, a way characterised by self-giving love, by justice, by honesty and by the breaking down of the traditional barriers that keep human beings at odds with one another. This calls for deeds rather than for words. We must challenge the values of the world and such false gods as money, erotic love and power with gospel values. Our allegiance to Jesus must be total. We must be moral in thought, word and deed. Such holiness is the appropriate human condition for those who, by grace, are members of God’s family. If we are to preach the Gospel we must live by it. Like the early Christians we must be prepared for misunderstanding and persecution. Our motto, our mantra, must always be: ‘Jesus Christ is Lord!’