Lord and Christ

When we explain the Gospel to others, we try to find bridges of communication, connecting points with our friend’s world view or experience. Peter did the same, especially in his appeal to the Hebrew Scriptures for his Jewish audience. What a potent point he makes in v. 36: “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” As he presents his argument to persuade them, he also presses home their responsibility. This will lead to an inevitable collision with the authorities, and the subsequent persecution of believers. How does Peter construct his argument?

First, he emphasizes Jesus’ resurrection. David had died and had obviously remained in his tomb, but in his writing he had affirmed God’s promise of a successor, someone raised to life by God himself (29,30; Psa. 16:8-11). Peter declares that Jesus, through his resurrection, is the Messiah whom the Old Testament predicted. Then he quotes another messianic psalm, this time to emphasize Jesus’ ascension (Psa. 110). Again, David didn’t ascend to heaven (34), but spoke of another to come, now declared to be the Lord. Peter concludes: “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (36).

These mighty declarations are found elsewhere; Jesus himself quotes Psalm 110 (Mark 12:35-37; Luke 20:42-44), and so do many New Testament writers (1 Cor. 15:25; Heb. 1:13). They underline the true identity of Jesus, affirmed by the witness of the Scriptures, the apostles and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is God’s chosen, fully God and fully human, who has defeated death and has ushered in God’s kingdom. Notice the three words once again: “whom you crucified.” Peter says to those who have crucified their only hope, that their only hope is the one they have crucified.

Spend a while now in worship of Jesus, who is Lord and Christ, the Savior, Judge and King.