He Is Lord of All

James Smith, 1859
 

Peter was now engaged in opening the door of faith to the Gentiles. He was preaching Christ to Cornelius and his friends. He testifies, that the middle wall of partition, which separated the Jew from the Gentile, was now broken down, and that God was no respecter of persons. That all mankind stood on a dead level before God, all having sinned, all alike were to have the Savior proclaimed to them, and to be invited to come and be saved by him. But as he was speaking of Jesus, his heart glowed with love to his adorable Lord, and by way of parenthesis, he throws this title of the Redeemer, into his discourse, "He is Lord of all." Acts 10:36.

All things belong to Jesus. All things in heaven, and all things on earth. Himself testified, "All things that the Father has, are mine." "All things are delivered unto me of my Father." "The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hands." And the apostle testifies, "All things were made by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things are held together." Blessed Lord Jesus, we rejoice that you are Lord of all! That all things on earth and in heaven are your. Your private mark is upon them all. They are for your glory, and they will be used to show forth your praise.

All are accountable to Jesus. He will judge angels. We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. To him, every intelligent and responsible creature, must render his account. He has a right to rule us by his laws, and to bind us by his decisions. Thanks be unto God, all his laws are righteous, and all his decisions are just. He rules in heaven, on earth, and in hell. His will is the law of the universe. To him every knee must bow, and to him every tongue must confess and acknowledge him to be Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

If Jesus is Lord of all, we must glorify him—either passively, or actively. We may refuse to yield to him—but we must bend or break. He will get glory from all he has created, and by all he has made. The best way to glorify him, is to admit his claims, bow to his authority, accept his invitation, and come to him as poor sinners to be saved by his merit and mercy. Never is Jesus so pleased with us, or so glorified by us, as when we come, just as we are—lost, ruined, and condemned—to be saved alone by his grace. In this way—we honor his mercy, gratify his love, and glorify his grace; but if we do not so—we must experience his wrath, pay the penalty of disobedience, and go glorify his holy justice!

If Jesus is Lord of all, we should believe his promises, for they are truth, and he has all power in heaven and earth to make them good. He cannot break his word, or fail one soul who puts its trust in him.

If Jesus is Lord of all, we should rely on his atonement, for it is infinitely and eternally efficacious. He allowed our sins to be placed to his account, he undertook to suffer their desert, and in so doing he rendered to divine justice infinite satisfaction for them. His blood avails to procure pardon, peace, and everlasting life for every sinner that trusts in his name.

If Jesus is Lord of all, we should obey his precepts, which form an easy yoke for all who bow to his will. If Jesus has promised us every good thing in time, and heaven when time with us shall be no more—if Jesus has given himself for us, laid down his life to deliver us from the desert of our sins—if he offers eternal life without money and without price, surely, surely we ought to observe his statutes and keep his laws.

If Jesus is Lord of all, then all, without an exception should acknowledge his rights, bow to his sovereignty, seek to escape from his wrath, gladly accept his mercy, and willingly yield themselves to be saved by his grace.

Will Jesus, the Lord of all save me—and shall I refuse to be saved by him? Will the Lord of all, take me into his service, receive me at court, and introduce me to his Father with honor—and shall I refuse such favor? Will the Lord of all, wash me in his own blood, clothe me in his own righteousness, bestow on me his own Spirit, and make me fit to dwell in heaven forever—and shall I, can I, ungratefully refuse the whole?