Master or Owner?

“Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46

Lord – Jesus constantly recalls Old Testament images. He is the perfection of God’s Old Testament revelation. To see him is to see the Word of God made flesh. So we should expect that Jesus will teach us the true meaning of the Old Testament message. In this question, Jesus recalls centuries of revelation about serving God. But there is something here that you cannot see. The choice of words draws a distinction that reveals the character to the master, hidden behind what is not said.

There are two different Hebrew words used to describe a slaveholder. One is the word adon. It means “lord” or “master”. The other is ba’al. It means “owner”. In Israel, slaveholders are never called “owners” even though slaves are referred to as property. Slaveholders in God’s community are masters and lords. So, when Jesus says, “Why do you call me Lord?”, he is being very Jewish. He does not say, “Why do you call me Owner?”. Why does the Hebrew language make this distinction? What is the difference between a master and an owner from the slave’s perspective?

Perhaps the answer lies in the idea of relationship. The relationship between owner and property is never personal. It is simply a relationship of possession. But the relationship between slave and master is always personal. The slave may still be a possession, but the interaction between master and slave involves elements that do not bear on the relationship between an owner and his property. In fact, from the slave’s perspective, serving a master or lord is based entirely on personal choice. Property cannot choose to serve. Property can only be used.

Since God uses the imagery of master and slave to illuminate our personal relationship with Him, it comes as no surprise that He never describes the relationship in terms of owner and property. Slavery to God is the most intimate personal relationship imaginable. It simply does not work at all without the personal element of choice. When Jesus says, “Why do you call me adon but do not do what I say?” he is pointing out that the entire premise of my relationship to Him is based on the choice to obey. Without obedience, there is no relationship.

It is no accident that the Hebrew word for “hear” (shama) also means “obey”.

Are you His slave? Is your relationship based on personal obedience?