“Jesus Christ is Lord because His words, actions, and resurrection prove His divine authority.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 17, 2025
But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:15-16
C.S. Lewis famously presents the argument that Jesus is either a liar, lunatic, or Lord in his book Mere Christianity. He writes:
I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.
Was Jesus Christ a Liar? Jesus’ critics labeled Him a liar. We experience this today when someone is threatened by another or disagrees with him. They seek to discredit by pointing out their adversary’s character flaws. But the son of God was flawless. Jesus threatened the status quo with His sermon on the mount, flipping pride on its head and elevating the poor in spirit. His claim to be equal with God erupted in a fury of pushback from the Pharisees (religious leaders). Naysayers dismissed His miracles as deceptive manipulation to gain followers. Yet, if we are fair-minded, Jesus clearly and compellingly spoke the truth and was the Truth. How do we know? You can trust that Jesus spoke the truth because His words matched His actions. He preached love, integrity, and sacrifice—then lived it out, even to death. He had nothing to gain from lying and everything to lose. His resurrection fulfilled prophecies, and eyewitness accounts confirm His truthfulness. Jesus didn’t just teach truth—He is Truth. So, not a liar. Lunatic?
Was Jesus Christ a Lunatic? His own family publicly declared that He was out of His mind. “When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind’” (Mark 3:21, NIV). Why? Jesus’ family initially thought He was out of His mind because His actions and claims were so radical that they didn’t understand His true mission. Some of you recall your family’s reaction to your newfound faith, “She’ll get over it,” “He found religion, give him time to come to his senses,” and “The church has brainwashed you.” Yet, you knew you were not crazy but no longer a slave to sin, free to love and serve. Lunatics are delusional, yet Jesus healed real pain and solved complex problems. Jesus wasn’t a lunatic because everything He said and did reflected wisdom, truth, and purpose. His teachings transformed the world, and His actions aligned with His words. Lunatics are confused and erratic, but Jesus was calm, clear, and composed—even in death. His resurrection proved He wasn’t crazy—He was exactly who He claimed to be: Lord. Jesus Christ was Lord: everything He predicted came true.
Was Jesus Christ Lord? Jesus Christ is Lord because His words, actions, and resurrection prove His divine authority. He wasn’t just a great teacher—He forgave sins, controlled nature, healed the sick, and even defeated death. No liar or lunatic could do that. His resurrection is the ultimate evidence that He is who He claimed to be: the Son of God. What does that mean for you? It means you’re not alone. It means His love, grace, and power are real. It means your sins can be forgiven, and you have a purpose beyond this world. Since Jesus is Lord, then following Him leads to true life, peace, and eternity with God. The question is—will you surrender to His Lordship? Wherever your Lord leads, you can trust His love will be good and beautiful for you.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I celebrate Your Lordship over my life! You are my Savior, King, and Guide. I surrender all to You, trusting Your wisdom, love, and power. Be glorified in me. In Your name, I pray. Amen.
Application
What is evidence in your life that you are 100% surrendered to Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life?
Related Reading
John 13:13; Romans 10:9; Colossians 1:16-17; Philippians 2:9-11
Worship Resource
The Crosby Family: The Goodness of God
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