Jesus Acknowledges You Before God – July 10, 2020

[Jesus said] “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”
Matthew 10:32

Jesus Acknowledges You Before God

It feels good to be recognized, doesn’t it? When you’ve put a lot of work in on something, it is nice when others notice. It hurts to be overlooked.

I have a confession to make. There is someone so important in my life, someone who has accomplished so many important things that I could never have done on my own, but someone whom I often fail to acknowledge.

That someone is my Savior, Jesus. When I do good things and things go well in my life, I want to take the credit. And I often want to take the credit when it comes to my relationship with God. I imagine that God loves me and accepts me for who I am. I act as if God should have my name on his wall of honor because I’ve done so much for him.

But the reality is, it is not about me. The Bible says that, unless I’m perfect, I don’t deserve praise or blessings from God. And I’m not perfect. I’ve stolen honor from Jesus by taking the credit for the good that I’ve done and the good things that have happened in my life. I’ve failed Jesus by keeping quiet when I had the opportunity to share the hope and peace I have because of him.

Why would Jesus want anything to do with me, when so often I’ve acted as if I didn’t know him or need him?

But, instead of disowning me, Jesus died for me. Instead of forsaking me, Jesus forgives me. Instead of acting as if he doesn’t know me, Jesus calls me his own and prays for me before God’s throne in heaven. And he does the same for you.

He is not ashamed of you. He gave his life to forgive everything you’ve done wrong. Now he stands before God and says, “I died for him. I died for her. I have given them faith to know and trust me as their Savior. These are your forgiven children.”

Remembering that he speaks my name in heaven gives me the courage and confidence to speak his name to others.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for calling me by name before God in heaven. Help me tell others about you. Amen.