Can Jesus be called ‘Lord’?

“Jesus cannot be called ‘Lord’ as the Injil does”

Since the Qur’ān teaches that there is no Lord (” Rabb “) but God, many would object to the Injīl giving Jesus the title “Lord.” This is based on a misunderstanding, for the Qur’ān itself allows the term “Lord” for Pharaoh in Sura 89:10—

“…And with Pharaoh, lord of stakes?”

“Lord” is simply a title of respect and submission, whether it be for a master, king, or ultimately God. Of course, in an ultimate sense God is the only ultimate “Lord.”

However, the Prophet Jesus has a special claim to the title “Lord.” Hundreds of years before Hazrat `Īsā’s birth, in the Zabur writings the coming Messiah (Masih), was described as having received authority from God over the “whole earth” (Psalm 2:8). In other words, the coming Messiah was to be like a Caliph or viceregent, totally submitted to God but still bearing complete authority from God over mankind. After Jesus defeated the work of Shaitan by his resurrection, he said to his disciples,

“All authority on heaven and earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)

God Almighty bestowed this tremendous authority on Jesus. He also bears the unique title of “God’s Word” according to the Injīl and Qur’ān. In other words, Jesus is the living expression or communication of God’s Will for all humanity to see. Furthermore, he is the only entirely sinless human, and so the only one who should be fully emulated or imitated.

For all these reasons, it is perfectly reasonable for Jesus to be called “Lord” as he is repeatedly called in the Holy Injīl. We must build our understanding on God’s Holy Scriptures, not reject God’s Word by our own fanciful ideas of what they should or shouldn’t say.