Creator, Father, King #213

If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory.

APPROVAL FEELS GOOD, DOESN’t it? Who doesn’t love getting a pat on the back for a job well done?

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey’s colt during his final Passover week, the City of David exploded with hosanna-filled approvals at the coming of the Jews’ long-awaited Anointed One. But there was still much confusion surrounding the nature of Jesus’ messianic mission. So he immediately addressed the multitudes and spoke of his imminent death. This stunned the crowd and weeded out false disciples.

Many who still believed in him kept their newfound faith shrouded in secrecy. Here’s how John 12:42-43 evaluates their lukewarm devotion: “Many people did believe in him . . . including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.”

These people loved approval from others too much, at the cost of following Christ in that moment. It’s fair to wonder whether they had saving faith at all.

What’s It Mean?

True followers of Jesus must be willing to openly declare their allegiance to him. Christianity is not a faith of reticence, privacy, or shame. We are to boldly share the good news of Christ with “all the nations” (Matthew 28:19).

Look at today’s verse. If we are ashamed of Jesus on earth, he will be ashamed of us when we stand before God’s judgment throne in heaven. That’s a frightening thought.

Consider some similar passages of Scripture (emphases added):

• I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. (Romans 1:16)
• If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
• To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel. (Ephesians 6:18-19, ESV)

Considering what Jesus sacrificed for you on the cross, how can you not joyfully proclaim his name and the gospel message to others?

Now What?

Share the gospel with a friend today!

Did You Know?

To be excommunicated from the local synagogue (John 12:42) was the extreme social and religious disgrace for first-century Jews.