“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38)
When I was a kid, I remember hearing this passage in sermons or when it was read in church, (a very good reason to take your kids to church), and it really impressed me. It is a caution which Yeshua gave to everyone that they would be treated like they treated Him. I think my reaction was strong, because I knew even as a kid what it meant to be ashamed of someone. Moreover, Jesus is really good, kind, loving and humble, a kid can understand this. Who could find an actual fault or offense in His words or manner, unless it was related to interpretations of Jewish laws, customs, traditions or His claim to be God’s son – Israel’s Messiah?
Recently, I saw a blogger who was asserting that he was god, it wasn’t clear whether he was trying his hand at satire or being ridiculous, but it was offensive or at least in poor taste. Yeshua, (Jesus’ Hebrew name) was entirely different in context and approach as there was ample prophecy in scripture and Hebrew tradition that a predefined a Messiah who would arise to deliver Israel from their enemies. The first Century Hebrews understood and were looking for a deliverer from Roman occupation. The offense many took against Yeshua was that He was simply a man with family members and origins they knew or assumed so. (John 7:52; Mark 6:3) They demanded signs from heaven to prove his claims, but when there were signs of healing, deliverance for demoniacs, and other undeniable miracles they were not satisfied. (John 9:26-33)
It was Yeshua who suffered shame upon the cross for our sins which are embarrassing and humiliating to us in the light of Heaven. He embraced us without being ashamed and we must receive Him likewise though the world heaps shame on Him and His followers. He came as a humble servant drawing outcasts, the needy and burdened, but He will return to earth, this time as a conquering King, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. (Matt. 25:3; Isa. 24:21-23) In a way Yeshua is saying don’t be ashamed of me because it would be hypocritical, false and a source of your own shame. By God’s grace I believed the Bible as children often do, simply accepting its truth. This is what Yeshua said, ”Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:15)
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