Jesus as the Christ and Lord in the Gospel of Luke: A Portrait of Divine Messiahship

The Gospel of Luke, one of the four canonical Gospels, offers a rich and profound portrait of Jesus as both Messiah and Lord. While Luke emphasizes the humanity of Jesus—His compassion, His upbringing, His interactions with the poor and marginalized—he also presents a clear and consistent testimony to the divine identity of Christ.

From the miraculous birth to the resurrection, Luke subtly but powerfully portrays Jesus not just as a great teacher or prophet, but as the divine Son of God, the Savior, and the eternal Lord.

1. The Divine Birth Announcement – Luke 2:11

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

This declaration by the angels to the shepherds is one of the clearest statements of Jesus’ identity in the New Testament. The term Messiah refers to the anointed one promised in Jewish scriptures, but the addition of the title “the Lord” (Kyrios) elevates Jesus beyond a human savior to divine status. In Jewish tradition, "Lord" is a title reserved for God Himself.

Luke is declaring from the outset that the baby born in Bethlehem is not merely a future king—He is the Divine Savior.

2. Jesus Fulfills Isaiah’s Prophecy – Luke 4:16–21

In the synagogue of Nazareth, Jesus reads from Isaiah 61, a passage about the coming of God’s anointed servant:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor...”

After reading, Jesus says:

“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

With this, Jesus claims to be the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy. He doesn’t merely interpret Scripture—He embodies it. The prophecy speaks of divine action and liberation, indicating that Jesus is not only sent by God but shares in God's mission and authority.

3. Authority to Forgive Sins – Luke 5:20–24

When Jesus heals a paralyzed man, He first tells him:

“Your sins are forgiven.”

The Pharisees immediately react: “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus responds:

“But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”

Here, Jesus claims a divine prerogative—forgiving sins—something only God is said to do in Jewish thought. His authority to forgive confirms not only His messianic role but also His divine identity.

4. Unity with the Father – Luke 10:21–22

Jesus prays and then reveals a unique relationship with God the Father:

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

This intimate, reciprocal knowledge between the Father and the Son implies a shared divine nature. Jesus is not just a prophet who speaks about God; He is the only one who fully knows God and can reveal Him to others.

5. The Divine Judge and Exalted Son – Luke 22:69

When questioned before the religious leaders, Jesus says:

“From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”

This is a reference to Psalm 110 and Daniel 7, both of which speak of a divine, exalted figure who rules with God's authority. Jesus is claiming a position of heavenly rule and divine power, seated at God's right hand—again, a claim that aligns Him not just with a human messiah, but with the divine judge and king.

6. The Risen Lord – Luke 24:36–43

After His resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples, who are frightened and think they are seeing a ghost. But He invites them to touch Him, saying:

“Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

This moment affirms two things:

• Jesus truly died and rose again, showing victory over death (a divine act).

• He retains His humanity, proving that His divinity does not erase His human identity.

The resurrection becomes the ultimate confirmation of His identity as Lord—a title the early Church used to confess both His power and His divinity.

The Gospel of Luke presents a powerful and balanced view of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine. While Luke emphasizes Jesus' compassion, humility, and human experiences, he also affirms His divine nature, His authority over sin, His unity with the Father, and His role as the exalted, risen Lord.

Jesus is not merely a great moral teacher or a political liberator—He is the Christ, the Lord, and the incarnate Word of God who came to bring salvation to the world. In Luke’s narrative, the divine identity of Jesus is not shouted, but clearly revealed through His actions, words, and resurrection.