Unashamed Of Jesus And The Gospel

Mark 8:34-38

Unashamed Of Jesus And The Gospel

     “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with His holy angels”. Mark 8:38

     Why is it that we feel shame in being associated with Jesus and the gospel? Why are we so easily ashamed of Him, and of telling others about Him? Verses 34-37 give us some answers to this question. 34. And He summoned the multitudes with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s shall save it. 36. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37. For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

     What we should notice about these verses is that they carry a very unappealing message for our pursuit of ease and comfort. Jesus demonstrated what it means to carry a cross and it was anything but a relaxing experience. Each of us has spent many hours, days, and years trying to keep up with the world. Trying to do things that impress our friends or cause people to envy us for what we have. Jesus did not demonstrate this type of living. Instead He tells us to give up that lifestyle or we will lose our souls to it. He does not tell us to mix with it, but to die to it.

     This way of life is not only unappealing to our friends and the world around us, but they will look at us as though we were dead! How could we possibly enjoy a life that has no popularity and no worldly excitement attached to it? Where is the fun? Where is the excitement? This is a message that will not make us a big hit at the party. There is no glory or envy to be gained from our friends by living this way or telling them about living this way. It also stings their conscience causing them to not like having us around ruining their party. So, rather than living for Christ in front of our friends we feel ashamed of even mentioning that we try to live this way. We live the Christian life in front of other Christians, but not in front of those who would think us foolish for doing so. We show ourselves unwilling to give up our lives for the gospel. We are unable to let go of their opinion of us and are ashamed of being a Christian in front of them.

    But once we have become dead to the world and alive in Christ our joy and excitement has a new source, one that does not come from possessions and easy living. Our hearts burn with a new passion; a new fire that is bigger, stronger and more appealing than anything the world has ever offered us. Our Heavenly Father has the universe awaiting us. Truly our life is just beginning for in the same way that He is infinitely creative He wants to teach us to be infinitely creative.

     So let us gladly give up our lives here on earth, embracing the humility Jesus has offered us and set our eyes on His return. Let us ask Jesus for help in being unashamed of Him so that in the day of His glorious return we will find Him unashamed of us.