Why is Jesus called “the Lord, Yahweh”?

The term Yahweh ( Jehovah ) means “the Being (or One who exists) who is present among His people.” In the Septuagint it is translated into the Greek Kyrios which means “Lord,” generally used to denote one who rules with power and authority over people or things, and exercises sovereignty over them. Christ is called “Lord” in Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 12:3; Phil. 2:11; etc. St. Peter summed up the resurrection and glorification of Christ in these words: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). And in the writings of St. Paul, we find a many works of Christ that indicate His Lordship (Rom. 14:8–9; 1 Cor. 3:5; 4:19; 14:37; 16:7; 2 Cor. 4:5; 8:5; 10:8; 10:18).

When Jesus says “I AM” (John 8:58) He takes us back to His title before His incarnation. When Moses the prophet saw the burning bush, he realized that the One to whom he spoke is God. Moses asked for His name, “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.” … “The LORD [Yahweh] God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you”.’” (Ex. 3:14–15). God’s answer to Moses reveals two important things:

First: “I AM WHO, I AM” — the ineffable God is above being named at all.

Second: “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob” — God cleaves to humanity; He associates Himself with his those whom He loves.

707 St. Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho 86 (ANF 1:242).

708 St. Athanasius of Alexandria, Four Discourses Against the Arians 1.12.47 (NPNF II/4:333–334) amended.

St. Augustine says that the first expression means that in comparison to God, all the fleeting things of this world are “vanity” and “vanishing.”⁷⁰⁹ It reveals God as Existence itself, the sublime Origin, and unchangeable.⁷¹⁰