Satiated by their finished meal, the open fires casted a slight shadow over them as they and His disciples continued to listen intently. Preoccupied with the many things they had heard that day and evening were cause for consideration.
One of the things that caught their attention was Jesus telling them He would be ashamed of them if they were ashamed of Him and His words. Oh the deep, painful, and overwhelming sorrow they felt at these words.
Many of us probably associate ashamed with shame. Let’s stop right here.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:1.
If you believe in Jesus there is no longer shame or condemnation on your shoulders.
In our verse today (Mark 8:38) Jesus is teaching that being ashamed is two-fold. It applies to those who haven’t accepted Jesus and have misplaced their trust and confidence in the big lie—someone or thing other than Jesus.
It also means Jesus will be ashamed of those who erroneously think, wrongly identify or align themselves with anyone or thing other than Him. I understand this is hard to hear for many especially because Jesus ushered in the new covenant of love.
Jesus will always love all His human creation, however, we cannot stop here because Jesus will always hate sin.
It is because of love Jesus gives the warning in our verse today. The adulterous and sinful generation began the moment Adam and Eve ate the fruit and it continues to this day.
How you share this truth matters. It holds much weight. Yes, there is an urgency and we want others to know Jesus loves them. We also want them to know they don’t have to believe the big lie.
I encourage you to think about all the practical ways you can share Jesus. Smiling at strangers, picking up those items that fall off the shelf at grocery stores that others pass by, paying for the order of the car behind you in a drive-thru. These small steps help build our confidence and trust in Jesus and prepare us to move onto the bigger assignments He has for us.
How will you share Jesus today?
Shalom!
Being Offensive
Blessed To Be A Blessing
Your Gift is for Everyone
What’s Outside Your Window?
Given the Nations
Anchored in Hope
A Crown Upon His Head
Toiling is Good
Hamstrung
Let Go My Soul
Friday Thoughts of Encouragement
Where Are You Looking?
The Young Queen
What’s Your Weapon?
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I often smile at strangers and sometimes give them compliments. I never thought of those gestures as sharing Jesus, though. That makes me want to do it even more!
Yay! Every small gesture of kindness is wrapped in the love of Jesus. 🥰 Keep smoking!
LOL, this should have stated “keep smiling!!” 🙂
Great post!! Like Michelle’s comment says, I also enjoy smiling at strangers and sometimes giving compliments – I also never stopped to think they were examples of sharing Christ, so that makes me really happy to hear!!! Going to do that more! 💜
Yay!! Sometimes people will look at us and say hi first and I like to think it’s because they internally recognize Jesus in us!🥰
Wow! You know, I never thought about smiling at strangers as sharing Jesus, but you’re right. Thank you for this insight.
Yay!! Eternity in a strangers heart resonates with eternity in our heart and whether they realize it or not they are experiencing Jesus! 🥰