In the previous post we gave a brief overview of the parable of the wise man and the foolish man. In this post I would like to focus on the introduction to the parable. Jesus introduces his thoughts by telling us:
Matthew 7:21-23 ESV “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ (23) And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Jesus here tells us that to enter Heaven we must hear and do the will of the Father. He tells us about people that claim to follow Him. They say “Lord, Lord”, but according to the Savior they are workers of lawlessness. Luke’s account summarizes these 3 verses from Matthew in one question.
Luke 6:46 ESV “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
The word Lord is not a title that I use very often. I think it is easy for its implication to pass us by unless we carefully consider it. So, what does it mean to call Jesus, ‘Lord’? The Greek word that is used here is κύριος (kurios Strong’s Greek word G2962). Thayer defines this word as:
1) he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord, 1a) the possessor and disposer of a thing, 1a1) the owner; one who has control of the person, the master 1b) is a title of honour expressive of respect and reverence, with which servants greet their master, 1c) this title is given to: God, the Messiah
By the definition of this word, these people were calling him master, owner, and possessor. Yet, they were not doing His will. Jesus’ question is aptly pointing out the contradiction. Yet His question can easily apply to us. If we acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior, doesn’t that mean that we need to do his will? Jesus said, “If you love me keep my commands” – John 14:15 If we confess that Jesus is Lord, aren’t we acknowledging His right to command us? If we acknowledge His right to command us yet refuse to do His commands, aren’t we really denying that He is The Lord?
Part III – Here
