“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:8-9)

As a small child I could understand this message. Moreover, I understood the concept of fearing God who has power to cast our soul into Hell. (Luke 12:5) If you were ever disciplined by your parents you knew you were capable of doing wrong, perhaps regularly. Our parents caught us in various acts of disobedience and it is not too hard even for a child to understand that an all powerful supreme creator of the universe would also hold us to account. Authority is one of the first things you learn. It takes years of delusion, selfish failure, misery, listening to fools and study in rebellion to first imagine, then think we are a free agent in this world, but as a child we learn instantly we are subject to others – we can’t even survive without constant parental care. 

God is fearsome in His ultimate authority, but Yeshua reveals God’s loving merciful characteristics. Moreover, as the only voice speaking with authority and knowledge of God, authenticated with miracles and His own life, He is a person with which you want and need to be associated. With this rudimentary understanding, Yeshua communicates His offer that those who admit and accept Him publicly, will also be acknowledged before the Angels of God. To do otherwise is to be disowned. A child can not endure being disowned as a most horrible event, it is the end of survival, no food, no clothes, no shelter, no parents, no love – death. However, the reward is marvelous, to be acknowledged, introduced and welcomed by Yeshua as His friend before the Angels of God. No honor on earth is equal, Angels are extremely powerful and so glorious humans could scarcely behold them. However, this great reward only requires that we acknowledge Yeshua to the public, those around us, our circle of friends and acquaintances, nothing could be simpler.

I understood this as a child and determined to accept the deal. I might make a lot of mistakes, but I could assure an introduction to the Angels and avoid being disowned, by acknowledging Yeshua, who has already verified and proven His credentials by His words and deeds, not to mention rising from the dead. I suspect most believers can recall a similar epiphany in your childhood. As Yeshua said, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:17)