Are You Ashamed of Jesus?

PRAY OVER THIS

“When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.” Matthew 27:29-31

 

PONDER THIS

Some years ago in New York City, there was a mother who was hanging clothes to dry outside when a fire broke out in her home with her baby inside. That mother’s face took the heat of those flames and was horribly scarred. Her hands were burned, but the baby was not touched at all by that fire. Not a hair was singed. One day that girl grew up and spoke to a friend who said, “Who is that hideous woman?” This girl said, “I don’t know,” and the mother heard.

Later, when they got home, the mother said “Darling, come here. I want to tell you something. When you were a baby, I went into a burning house and rescued you, not a hair on your head was touched, but these scars on my face and these scars on my hand are there because I rescued you from the flames.” When that daughter learned the truth, she was filled with shame and remorse. She said “Oh, my mother, can you ever forgive me?” Let us never be ashamed of Jesus and the scars He bore for our sake. How could we ever blush to speak His name or own His cause? Jesus wore my crown. The sacred mystery is that He bore the curse; the solemn misery is that He suffered our hell.

What does it look like to live ashamed of Jesus? To live unashamed?

Where is it difficult for you to live unashamed for Jesus?

PRACTICE THIS

Discuss with a close Christian friend what it means to live unashamed of Jesus.

 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers