The Pilgrim Path---Mark 8: 38—9: 1

“For whosoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

SHAME? / POWER AFTER JESUS’ RESURECTION

Someone might be ashamed to “own” Jesus Christ---because they see him as an unnecessary figure in world history. An abject castoff. A personage for weaklings and failures. Quite a few would be “ashamed” to associate with him in any way, shape, or form whatsoever (many are not quite being honest about Jesus or themselves, that is for another time).

You may know him---yet be afraid at times to own him. The fear of man can really get to us at times.

You may be uncertain of how best to represent him. How to speak of him in episodes of life? So, rather than engage, you just decide not to appear like a fool---and do not speak about him at all…you feel ashamed?

Well, we do not have to have “all” the answers for everybody. We do not have to anticipate every question dear souls may ask. We do not even have to anticipate all the challenges people may mount. Being interested in people is a start. Showing some measure of genuine concern means a great deal. The One we know is incredibly “able” to bring His truth to bear upon people. We attempt to “leave” them with a little bit of Holy Scripture. This is what the Divine Spirit of God uses in people’s lives (the Sword of the Spirit). If the folk will allow, as John Leonard says, we even pray with them---then and there. Bring the Triune God right into the situation. Calm your heart---and introduce their heart to the LORD and Savior. We should pity people---more than fear them (the fact their soul may well be in jeopardy).

From J. C. Ryle: When can it be said of anyone, that he is ashamed of Christ? We are guilty of it, when we are ashamed of letting people see that we believe and love the doctrines of Christ, that we desire to live according to the commandment of Christ, and that we wish to be reckoned among the people of Christ. Christ’s doctrine, laws, and people were never popular, and never will be. The man who boldly confesses that he loves them, is sure to bring on himself ridicule and persecution. Whosoever shrinks from this confession from fear of this ridicule and persecution, is ashamed of Christ, and comes under the sentence of the passage before us. Perhaps there are few of our LORD’S sayings which are more condemning than this. “The fear of man” does indeed “bring a snare” (Proverbs 29: 25). There are thousands of men who will face a lion, or storm a breach, if duty called them, and fear nothing---and yet would be ashamed of being thought “religious”---and would not dare to avow that they desired to please Christ rather than man. Wonderful indeed is the power of ridicule! Marvelous is the bondage in which men live to the opinion of the world! Let us pray for the faith and courage for the faith to confess Christ before men. Of sin, or worldliness, or unbelief, we may well be ashamed. We ought never to be ashamed of Him who died for us on the cross. Despite laughter, mockery, and hard words, let us boldly avow that we serve Christ…

SOME HERE WILL NOT DIE---TILL THEY “SEE” THE KINGDOM IN POWER!

An amazing word from The LORD Jesus Christ!

Think of it: Many of Jesus’ disciples would “see” the New Testament Church “come of age” after His resurrection. They would see Gentiles come in vast numbers---to faith in God’s Holy Son. They would see the Gifts of the Spirit--- in remarkable measure for the expansion of Gospel endeavor. The Greco-Roman World would begin to be changed by a Church that had been outlawed. Simply amazing! The Kingdom of God came in power---life transforming power: Saul of Tarsus would be a vibrant testimonial to this fact (his ministry a colossal trailblazing example of its influence).

From Theophilus Gale: When the heart is full of the world, how soon is all sense of love to God choked! O how the mind is blinded and charmed with the painted heart-bewitching shadows of the world! Love to the world turns the heart from God, and so bids adieu. Love of the world is a god-maker. Lust makes pleasure its god. Worldlings lose the true God in the crowd of false gods! Acts of lust that rise from sudden passion, though violent, may consist with love of God, but a deliberate bent of heart towards the world as our supreme interest cannot! Love to the world makes us servants to it. He that cannot part with the world will soon part with God. The flesh-pleasing sweets of the world make the delicacies of heaven seem bitter. Love to the world is the devil’s throne, the helm of his ship where he sits and steers the soul hell-wards. What made Judas or Demas fall, but love for the world? Love for God is the best good!

To keep your armor bright, attend with constant care;

Still walking in your Captain’s sight and watching unto prayer.

From strength to strength go on; wrestle and fight and pray;

Tread all the pow’rs of darkness down and win the well-fought day.

Charles Wesley, 1749

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason