Mark 8:34-38 New King James Version
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
In Mark 8:38, after sharply rebuking Peter, Jesus speaks directly about the cost of being ashamed of Him. He warns those in listening distance that if we deny Him, if we are embarrassed by Him in this life, we will face denial in eternity.
Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, knowing that he would be crucified there. And Peter had rebuked him, earning Jesus’ harsh reprimand: “Get behind me, Satan!” (Mark 8:31-33).
Now Jesus had gathered a crowd along with his disciples, and he challenged everyone to self-denial, to “take up their cross” and follow him.
For to have full life, he explained, we need to give our whole life to God. This means not simply letting go of all we’re tempted to hold on to, but also giving over 100% oneself cheerfully to others and for others in our gratitude to God.
I read about a French soldier who was so seriously wounded in World War I that his left arm had to be amputated. The surgeon was utterly grieved that this young man would have to go through the rest of his life maimed.
He wanted to break the news personally, so he made sure to be at the man’s bedside when he awoke.
“I’m so sorry,” the doctor said, “but you’ve lost your arm.” The soldier’s response was startling: “I did not lose my arm, doctor; I gave it for France.”
A Bold Unashamed Faith in the Gospel – in a Broken World
Today, we are focusing on a powerful and, quite frankly, sobering verse in Mark’s gospel. Jesus speaks directly about the cost of being ashamed of Him.
He warns that if we deny Him in this life, we will face denial in eternity.
This is a call to live a life that’s bold, unwavering, and unashamed of our Savior.
Together, we will explore what it means to stand for Christ in a world that often stands against Him.
1. Understanding the Call:
Being Unashamed of Christ and His Message (Mark 8:38)
In Mark 8:38, Jesus says, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
The Greek word used here for “ashamed” (epaischynomai) means to experience a sense of shame or embarrassment.
https://biblehub.com/greek/1870.htm
Jesus places this warning in the context of the “adulterous and sinful” days—meaning times filled with rampant spiritual unfaithfulness and sin.
Jesus is calling us to a life that’s different from the world, one where we openly live our faith and share His truth without embarrassment or fear.
This is echoed in Romans 1:16 (NLT), where Paul boldly declares,
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.” Here, Paul reminds us that the gospel is mightily transformative; it’s not something to hide but something to proclaim.
Think of a tall lighthouse that stands tall against the crashing waves, its light shining for for miles around for all to see. Like that lighthouse, we are meant to brightly shine, not to be hidden or ashamed, regardless of the pressure we face.
“We are not called to blend in but to stand out for Christ. When we understand the power of the gospel, there is no room for embarrassment.” – Rev. Francis Chan
2. The Consequences of Denying Christ (Mark 8:38; Matthew 10:33)
The second part of Mark 8:38 is challenging: “…the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Jesus is referring to His second coming, where He will return as Judge.
He warns that if we are ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of us on that day.
This parallels Matthew 10:33 (NLT), “But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”
The warning is crystal clear:
our relationship with Christ should be public and vocal and steadfast.
Mark 4:21-25 New King James Version
Light Under a Basket
21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
If we reject or hide Him now, we risk being separated from Him for eternity.
This is not a call to perfection but to commitment—to live as His followers, even when it’s challenging.
If there are areas in your life where you’ve been reluctant to share your faith or to live boldly for Christ, now is the time to seek courage.
Pray for strength to be a witness. Embrace every opportunity to reflect Christ in your actions and words.
Imagine standing before a crowd and being asked, “Are you with Him?”
In that moment, our answer reflects where our hearts truly lie—are we proud to stand with our Savior, or are we too ashamed, too fearful to proclaim His name?
“To deny Jesus with our words or actions is to deny the One who gave His life for us. We must choose daily to stand for Him.” – David Platt
3. Living Boldly in a World Opposed to Christ (Romans 12:2; Philippians 1:27)
Living unashamed means standing out. Romans 12:2 (NLT) reminds us, “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
As believers, we’re called to be different—not conformed to the world but transformed by the Word.
Philippians 1:27 (NLT) tells us, “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.”
Our citizenship is not of this world, and our lives should reflect our heavenly home.
As ambassadors for Christ, we have the privilege and responsibility of representing Him.
This boldness isn’t just about words; it’s about how we live.
It’s showing integrity when no one else is.
It’s choosing love when the world chooses hate.
Living unashamed of Christ is as much about actions as it is about proclamations.
Think about soldiers who represent their nation.
They stand tall and proud, bearing their country’s emblem with honour. As Christians, we bear the name of Christ—let’s wear it with courage and integrity.
“Faith is not believing in spite of evidence; it is obeying in spite of consequence.” – Dr. John MacArthur
Conclusion: The Reward of a Life Lived Unashamed
Jesus doesn’t call us to a safe or easy faith but a courageous one.
Mark 8:38 reminds us of the weight and beauty of this call—to live unashamed for Him, knowing that one day soon, we will stand before Him. The rewards of faithful obedience far outweigh any worldly consequence.
Call to Action:
Let’s commit to living boldly, embracing the gospel in every area of our lives. Let’s share it openly, love without fear, and live unashamed of our Savior.
Invitation:
If you haven’t yet placed your faith in Jesus, today is the day to start. He invites you into a relationship that is eternal and unbreakable.
Accept Him as your Lord and Savior, live a life marked by His courage and love.
In the Name of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Let’s Pray,
Psalm 119:105-112 Authorized (King James) Version
נ Nun
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much:
quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
and teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand:
yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me:
yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever:
for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 