A significant event occurred in the life of Jesus as Matthew would record in Matthew 17. Jesus took his three closest disciples (Peter and the two sons of Zebedee) with him up to the top of a particularly high mountain. When they ascended to the peak, Matthew records the image of Jesus being transfigured into that which was brighter than the Palestinian sun. Then, two impressive individuals from the history of the Jews appeared and began talking with Jesus—the magnificent leader, Moses, and one of the greatest of all the prophets, Elijah, to which Peter witnesses. Please note his reply (one of his “open mouth and insert foot” moments—“not knowing what he said” [cf. Luke 9:33]) to Jesus: “Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias” (Matt. 17:4). It is true that the term “tabernacle” simply may refer to a temporary place of shelter (cf. Heb. 11:9), but denoting the implicit act of a dwelling place, its connotation goes back with reference to a place of exaltation and worship (cf. Acts 7:43), such as the Israelites first built in the wilderness wanderings. In fact, the context of this account reveals such, for the very next thing that happened is the voice of God speaking from the overshadowed cloud, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” It is almost as if Jesus (and God, the Father, for that matter) knew that such would happen from Peter—an event that I am sure he would never forget. What I find interesting is that Peter would refer to Jesus as “Lord” (kurios, “Master”), but then immediately devalue such a term with his ignorant request. It reminds me of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) who may try to refer to Jesus as Lord of their lives, but then proclaim and elevate Joseph Smith as their Savior. Are we guilty of doing the same thing when with tongue we pronounce Jesus as the Lord of our lives, but then fail to obey Him completely (cf. Luke 6:46)? Jesus plainly declared in the Sermon on the Mount, “No man can serve two masters [same word—kurios, cf. “lords”]: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24). In this account, Peter learned first-hand that Jesus, and Jesus alone, is to be Lord of our lives!
The growth process to accepting and believing Jesus to be Lord of our lives is an interesting process. One of the best places to see this from the Bible is in John 9. In the account of Jesus healing a man who was blind from birth and the subsequent harassment that he and his parents received from the Pharisees, we see the growth that took place in the life of this man. It is quite evident that this blind man had no idea who Jesus was, because the first time his neighbors and friends questioned him as to the origination of the miracle of sight, he responded, “A man that is called Jesus…” (John 9:11). Later, after enough time has passed for him to ponder and contemplate just what great thing has occurred in his life, the Pharisees interrogate him, “What sayest thou of him that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, ‘He is a prophet’” (John 9:17). Finally, when Jesus took the time and effort to find him after the Pharisees prevented him from all synagogue privileges (cf. John 9:22, 34), he refers to Him as “Lord” (John 9:35-38). Thus, his conception of Jesus grew from a man to a prophet to Lord! What a marvelous example for all who come to know Jesus!
Finally, we conclude in Acts 2 with Peter and the apostles preaching to the gathered Jews from “every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5) who gathered on the Day of Pentecost, which was just fifty days since these same Jews, who gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover Week, led in their cries to crucify the Son of God. Peter powerfully proclaims that the crucified Lord had arisen from the dead, and he ignites the penitence within three thousand Jews (cf. Acts 2:41) with his conclusion: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). The crucified Jesus was not only the Christ/Messiah of whom the Old Testament fathers and prophets had foretold, but He is also to be Lord of our lives!
Therefore, it is imperative to my soul to ponder the question, “Is Jesus really Lord of my life?”