Not Ashamed – October 15, 2021

Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.
Hebrews 2:11

Not Ashamed

Real Men Love Jesus. The slogan appears on t-shirts, hoodies, coffee cups, and drink coasters. But why sell such items? Who would purchase them?

It’s a bit of a reaction to an unfortunate trend. Christians are often pressured to feel ashamed of Jesus and to hide their faith in Jesus. The Real Men Love Jesus slogan is a marketing strategy designed to reverse that trend. It’s time for Christians to let their light shine, not hide it. Don’t be ashamed of Jesus!

But have you ever wondered, “Could Jesus be ashamed of us?” After all, we are part of a human race that seems so self-absorbed. There’s so much chaos and disharmony in our communities. News outlets run stories about riots, wars, assaults, and trafficking. Could Jesus love a world like this?

On a more personal note, I have a good deal of chaos and disharmony in my own heart. I’m supposed to love Jesus above all else. In reality, I’ve set my heart on so many other things. I’m supposed to trust Jesus. Instead, I stress myself out with worry or try to take matters into my own hands. I’m supposed to honor Jesus by the things I think, say, and do. Oh, how I’ve failed! Could Jesus love a person like me?

He could. In fact, he does! John 3:16 reminds us that God loved the world so much, he sent Jesus to be our Savior. Jesus didn’t walk away from our self-absorbed humanity but willingly came running to our rescue. He took all the selfishness, sin, dishonor, and chaos of our hearts and communities—he took it all to the cross. And there on the cross, he suffered and died and made a perfect payment.

The result? The sins of the world have been paid for by Jesus! On a more personal note, the sins of my past have been taken away. The times I’ve dishonored or distrusted my God—those have been forgiven. Jesus, my Savior, has washed me clean.

What a way to start or end your day, knowing that Jesus loves you, has paid for all your sins, and isn’t ashamed to call you his brother or sister!

Prayer:
Savior, Jesus, since you have loved me so dearly, help me never to be ashamed of you. Amen.