Ever since I first heard these words, I've wondered, am I ashamed of Jesus?  Jesus said if anyone is ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of them.  Shame is one of those things that shows our sinfulness.  We don't like to experience it, in fact, we don't even like to talk about it.

          Many today believe shame and guilt should be avoided at all costs.  I'm not so sure.  As a humorist once said, "Without guilt, how would we ever fill church committees?"  No one wants to be ashamed of ourselves, yet it's happened to us all.  And no one wants someone else ashamed of us, either.  Can shame be a good thing or is it only bad?  And how do we deal with it?

          Jesus clearly warns us not to be ashamed of Him.  I once asked several elderly people what they thought Jesus meant by this.  One said, "Being ashamed of Jesus means we're more worried about what people think than what God thinks."  Another said, "The best way to avoid shame is to be bold for Jesus."  She then told of an incident in a store when she witnessed to a clerk who had her same first name.  "I don't have much time left," she said, "so I don't care what people think of me.  I just want them to know about the Lord."

          Another elderly friend observed, "We all need a little shame now and then to keep us in our place."  But then she added, "You don't see it much these days."  How true!  Sin brings us shame, but so many today live shamelessly.  But God gives each of us a conscience, and through it He reminds us we've done something wrong.  He is a God of love and forgiveness, but still wants us to live according to His will.

          But for some it's easy to become overwhelmed with guilt or shame, and that's not good.  Satan can use guilt and shame to bring us to defeat and despair.  The Bible says Satan is the "father of lies".  He uses lies to make us think we're too bad to be forgiven.  He drums into our ears, "God will never FORGIVE you for that!  What you've done is too terrible!  You're just NO GOOD!"

          Satan tries to make us believe we're unforgivable, and that's a terrible lie!  Jesus died and rose again to forgive us all our sins, no matter what.  He gave His life on Calvary for all things we people do, no matter what.  And He loves us and forgives every one of us, no matter what!  When God sees faith in Christ in our hearts, then He gets divine amnesia.  He forgets our sin.  As far as He's concerned, it's gone forever.

          Another lie Satan tells us is, "God can't do anything through someone like you!"  He tries to make us think we're worthless, that we have nothing to offer.  That's another boldface lie!  Regardless of what you've done or what's happened to you, you're precious to God.  He loves you and can use you in a mighty way for His purposes.  Broken-hearted people are often God's best workers.

          But that's not quite what Jesus was thinking of here.  He was warning his disciples against being ashamed of Him.  He wanted them to think past themselves, so that when they had a chance to witness to Him, they wouldn't turn their backs on Him.

          Being ashamed of Jesus happens when we're more worried about the things of this world rather than the things of God.  One of His thoughts should bring a big chill to us Colorado suburbanites - "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"  Another of Satan's lies is, "Go ahead and get it -- you NEED it!"

          I never cease to amaze myself at what I think I need.  But it's not what I need, it's what I want.  You and I don't need nearly as much as we think.  We need to DENY our SELF and follow Jesus.  We need to be REPAIRED because we're BROKEN.  We need His FORGIVENESS and PEACE.  We all, every one of us, need a RELATIONSHIP with GOD by faith in JESUS, His Son and our only Lord.

          A few years ago I heard the sad news that a son of one of my pastor friends had committed suicide.  It was tragic news because this young man had often visited our home when he was about 10-12 years old.  And this young man was the second pastor's son I knew of who had committed suicide that year.

          What had happened?  Both of these young men knew of God's love for them.  Both had loving and caring parents.  Both of them had the right head knowledge.  But that knowledge didn't make it to their hearts.  Or maybe guilt and shame suffocated them.  Maybe they believed Satan's lies.  "God will never forgive you for that!  You're just no good!"  I do know both were involved in illegal drugs, those evil things Satan uses to send millions to their damnation.  Drugs are his weapon of mass destruction.

          "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"  Those young men could be you and me.  If You and I become so consumed by things of this world, if we're so busy trying to save our own lives, if we're so worried about what others think of us rather than what God thinks, we do risk losing it all.

          The suicide of a young person is senseless.  It is so destructive, so permanent.  Family members always stand beside the casket and ask why, why this meaningless death?  Why give up your life this way?  Suicide is terrible, no matter what age we are.  Any person taking his/her life, whether it's to avoid pain, or it's less expensive than living, or because some insane law allows it -- whatever the reason -- that person leaves behind scars that will never heal.  I remember every suicide I've buried and some still bring an ache to my heart.  And the incredible sadness of the family....

          Many years ago some women stood next to a dead young man and asked, "Why?  Why did He have to die this way?  He was so young and innocent -- He had so much promise."  Fortunately for us all, their questions were answered a few days later when they found His grave empty.  Christ had arisen!  He was truly the Son of God!

          The death of Christ for us is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE.  He's the way that frees us from thinking we must die to pay the penalty for our sins.  He is the TRUTH that sets us free.  He is the LIFE, our guarantee there's more to life than guilt or shame.  There's a whole lot more to life than trying to save our life with the junk of this world.  His resurrection brings life to all who trust in that young man who died and rose again, Jesus, the Son of God, the only way to heaven.

          His resurrection proved He was the SON OF GOD.  All who COME to Him are ACCEPTED by God.  Jesus said we should take up the cross and follow Him.  That worries some of us.  We don't want any more crosses.  Our own crosses are heavy enough.  We think, "If He wants to give me another cross, forget it -- I already have more than I can bear."  But He's not asking us to carry more weight in life, just the right kind.  Bearing the cross means we're COMMITTED to Him.

          He also said, "Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  You see, the yoke of Jesus, or the cross of Christ is far LIGHTER than those we put on OURSELVES.

          The yoke of Christ has no shame or guilt, no extra work or worry.  It doesn't cost more money.  It doesn't affect our job, but it can make it easier.  It doesn't take something away from your family, but in fact adds to it.  The yoke of Christ doesn't criticize or talk back.  The cross of Christ isn't more stress.  It's just the opposite.  It means to follow Him, to talk to Him and hear Him bless us.  This cross brings us "love, joy, peace, patience..."  It's not really a cross, but a guarantee to life with God forever.

          We've just sung, "Jesus, oh how could it be true that people are ashamed of You?"  Don't be afraid to share your witness of Christ with others.  He'll give us the words to say.  He'll always bless our sharing.  May we never be ashamed of our Friend who's blessed us so wonderfully.  May we follow Him, and know we are loved and precious, no matter what!  Amen!

Copyright © 1999 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.