Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 13

We’re used to hearing it. The title “Son of God” echoes through hymns, sermons, and Scripture readings. But familiarity can lead to flattening. We might assume it’s just another divine name among many. But Question 33 slows us down, not to complicate things, but to enrich them. Jesus is not God’s Son in the same way believers are children of God. He is the eternal, natural Son—unique, divine, and irreplaceable.

And then Question 34 turns that truth back toward us. If Christ is truly God’s Son and truly our Lord, what does that mean for how we see ourselves? What does it mean to call Him Lord?

Question 33

Why is He called God’s “only begotten Son” when we also are God’s children?
Because Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God. We, however, are adopted children of God—adopted by grace through Christ.¹

¹ John 1:1–3, 14, 18; Romans 8:15–17; Galatians 4:4–7; Ephesians 1:5

Question 34

Why do you call Him “our Lord”?
Because—not with gold or silver, but with His precious blood—He has set us free from sin and from the tyranny of the devil, and has bought us, body and soul, to be His very own.²

² 1 Peter 1:18–19; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Titus 2:14; Romans 6:9–14

The Son Who Is Not Like Us

There’s a kindness in the Catechism’s precision. It reminds us that while we are, by grace, called sons and daughters of God, we are not sons and daughters by nature. We are adopted. But Jesus is not. He is the eternal Son, begotten not made, of one being with the Father.

That’s not theological hair-splitting. It’s worship-shaping. It protects the wonder of who Jesus truly is: fully God, fully man, always divine, always worthy. He didn’t become the Son by being born in Bethlehem or baptized in the Jordan. He always was the Son. Before the manger. Before creation.

And that’s what makes His adoption of us so astonishing.

Because the true Son took on flesh, we are brought into the family. Not as a courtesy. Not symbolically. But legally, relationally, eternally. Adopted by grace, loved as His own.

Redeemed and Belonging

Question 34 moves us from identity to ownership. Why do we call Him “our Lord”? Because He bought us. And not cheaply.

We are not our own, the Catechism reminds us elsewhere. And here it tells us why: Christ did not pay for us with coins or contracts, but with His blood. That’s how deep His love runs. That’s how far He went to make us His.

This is not the ownership of tyranny. It’s the freedom of belonging. Jesus did not enslave us. He freed us—freed us from the crushing power of sin, the deception of the devil, and the downward pull of death. And in doing so, He claimed us as His.

Body and soul, in life and in death, we belong to Him.

What It Means to Say “Our Lord”

The Catechism assumes something that feels increasingly radical today: that Jesus has the right to claim us. That He is Lord in more than name. That He reigns not only over history, but over us.

We resist that word—Lord. We like Jesus as Savior, as Friend, even as Teacher. But Lord? That pushes against our autonomy. It means we answer to Someone. It means we surrender our wills, our plans, our identities.

But here’s the paradox: only in submitting to this Lord do we find freedom. Only in calling Him our Lord do we learn who we really are. His Lordship is not a threat to our dignity. It’s the foundation of it.

The One who owns us also gave Himself for us. He does not lead by force. He leads by laying down His life.

So we say it—not with fear, but with joy: Jesus is Lord.

A Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are the eternal Son—forever one with the Father, radiant in glory, rich in mercy. And You are my Redeemer—who took on flesh, gave Your life, and called me Your own.

I am not my own. I was bought at a price. Thank You for loving me that much. Thank You for freeing me from sin, not just to survive, but to belong.

Help me to live today as one who belongs to You—gladly surrendered. Gratefully adopted. Always trusting in Your perfect love.

You are the Son. You are my Lord. And I am Yours.

Amen.

Daily Bible Readings

New Testament in a Year
March 30 – Luke 3:21–38
March 31 – Luke 4:1–30
April 1 – Luke 4:31–44
April 2 – Luke 5:1–16
April 3 – Luke 5:17–39
April 4 – Luke 6:1–26
April 5 – Luke 6:27–49

The Bible in a Year
March 30 – Judges 12–14; Luke 3:21–38
March 31 – Judges 15–17; Luke 4:1–30
April 1 – Judges 18–19; Luke 4:31–44
April 2 – Judges 20–21; Luke 5:1–16
April 3 – Ruth 1–2; Luke 5:17–39
April 4 – Ruth 3–4; Luke 6:1–26
April 5 – 1 Samuel 1–2; Luke 6:27–49