Since the New Testament and early Christians called Jesus Lord, we have difficulty many times determining whether Jesus or God is meant by Lord. The two words, "Lord Jesus" composed the first Christian confession of faith (1Corinthians 12:3 and Romans 10:9). The decisive reason for transferring the divine title Lord to Jesus was His resurrection from the dead. Before His resurrection, Jesus was addressed with the Jewish title of honor Rabbi (teacher). Luke always, and Matthew usually, translated this title into Greek as Lord.
The resurrection changed the respectful student/teacher relationship of the disciples with Jesus into the believer's servant/Lord relationship. God honored Jesus with the title Lord as His response to Jesus' obedient suffering (Phil. 2:6-11). He has been seated at the right hand of God, which demonstrates the elevation of Jesus to the position of Ruler next to God himself (ps.110:1). In the Old Testament, Lordusually describes the essence of Yahweh: His power over His people, over the entire earth, and over all gods. Lord could stand parallel to the personal name of God, Yahweh. Lord used in direct address to God attested to the honor of God or His representative (2 Samuel 7:18-22,28-29; Joshua 5:14; Zech. 4:4).
