Mark 8:38 “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
Will you take a stand for Jesus? Mark 8:38 addresses one of the chronic deficiencies within the church; the fear of man! Many people believe the words of Jesus, they even embrace the message of Calvary and the death and resurrection of Christ and yet will not acknowledge their belief in front of others because of fear of reproach.
Jesus is calling all men to take a stand. The context of this exhortation in Mark 8:38 is within a social climate that Jesus defines as adulterous and sinful. It is this climate of sin that becomes the pressure point for the life of the righteous. The words of Jesus in this passage make it clear that it is not enough to simply believe. One of the primary roles of God’s people within the culture is to stand up and be a voice against the tide of sin. Confrontation is the ministry of the people of God.
This passage leaves no question as to God’s intention. In the midst of a corrupt and polluted generation it is God’s intention that the stand that Jesus took, the voice of opposition to this tide of sin that He boldly raised, continues to be raised by those who claim to be His disciples. This verse reverberates with a mandate that is placed upon the church to be bold about who we are and what we believe. No room is left for doubt. No room is left for questioning. The verdict is clear. If we are ashamed of Christ and His message before people, Christ will be ashamed of us before the heavenly Father. To receive the acclaim of heaven we must be willing to face the rejection of men.
Throughout much of Mark Jesus is seen raising a standard for the believers. Though many people present the message of the gospel in a context of grace alone, which is indeed the path to salvation, the message of Christ continues beyond the gift of salvation to the cost of discipleship! Again and again Jesus identifies the standard or expectation that is placed upon every believer and Mark 8:38 is such a standard. “Do not be afraid of men… stand up for the holiness of God… stand up for the work of Christ!” With this one verse all men are robbed of any excuse concerning their responsibility to identify with Christ in a public way. With this one verse all men are expected to triumph over the fear of man for the sake of Christ and His truth! With this one verse all men are called to take a stand for the Lord Jesus and the gospel. What will you do with this one verse and all that it implies!?
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