Anchor My Faith

Be Not Ashamed of Jesus

Scripture: Matthew 16:27-28; Mark 8:38

In the previous lesson we looked at three “For” statements. In this lesson we will look at two more and will begin by considering the problem of being “ashamed.” ^{Mk 8:38} “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

“Whoever” includes all, whatever their position or circumstances who may be ashamed. As I think about this, two groups of people come to mind. There are those who are immature in their faith and when made fun of by others may feel uncomfortable or ashamed of Jesus. I don’t think that group is in focus here because of how the verse ends. Was it fear or shame or both that caused Peter to deny the Lord? Is it possible that in the growth process for a period of time that a believer might be ashamed of Christ and not dare profess their faith and conceal and keep it to themselves? Maybe, but we need to correct our relationship with Jesus and overcome it.

The second group that I see are those who refuse, through pride or wickedness, to acknowledge and serve Christ, and shall be excluded from his kingdom. Jesus was lowly, meek and despised and that causes shame in the proud to be identified with him and thus prevent them from coming to salvation. When Jesus “comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” he will be ashamed of these people who rejected him.

^{Mt 16:27} “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.”

When Jesus returns with his angels in the glory of his Father, it will be a time of Judgment for those who have chosen to follow their own will, and a time to reward those who have taken up the cross and followed him. The righteous he will reward in heaven with glory and happiness, but the wicked will be sent to hell, as a reward or recompense for their evil works. These are the ones who were spoken of in Mark 8:38, who were ashamed of Jesus and did not come to salvation. If we reject and disown him here, he will reject and disown us later.

Jesus then closes the section with a verse that has various interpretations. ^{Mt 16:28} “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Some of the twelve who were standing there with Jesus in Caesarea Philippi would live to see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. The footnote in the ESV Study Bible lists six possible interpretations, such as the transfiguration of Jesus, his resurrection, the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost, etc.

Conclusion

The cross is coming for Jesus and his followers. We don’t see this so much here in the west, but in countries of persecution, believers clearly have a cross to carry, even the giving of their lives for their faith. Maybe here in the west our idols of comfort, safety and security discourage us from picking up our cross daily and carrying it.