A good Lord?

Now, Master,
you can dismiss your servant in peace,
as you promised.

For my eyes have seen your salvation.
You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples—
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and glory to your people Israel. (Luke 2:29-32)

I was thinking on that word, “Master” today.

The underlying Greek word for “Master” gives us our modern English word “despot.”

But back then, it had none of the negative connotations that the word has now.

That being said, it did have the idea of someone who has the right and power to command.

But I think it’s clear that Simon didn’t see this as a bad thing. This “Master” was a good Lord who prepared salvation, not just for the Jews, but for all people.

The shepherds took it the same way. When they heard that the Christ, a new King had been born, they rushed to see him. And after seeing him, they rejoiced, telling everyone they could about him.

The Jews, on the other hand, did not see Caesar Augustus as a good “master.” There was no rejoicing at his reign. There definitely was no joy at being forced to register for tax purposes.

The question for us is how do we see our Lord?

Does it make us uneasy to see him as King, not in name only, but in truth?

Do we balk at the idea that he has the right and power to command?

Unless we truly believe he is a good Lord, a good King, we will never joyfully submit to and follow him.

Instead, it becomes a burden. Something to try to escape. Even something to fear.

How do you see your Lord?