Embarrassed By Jesus

Photo by Nick Tiemeyer on Unsplash

Are you embarrassed by Jesus? It may sound strange even to ask the question. After all, why would anyone be embarrassed by Jesus? And yet, after a moment’s thought it’s not difficult to see that we might often be tempted to feel shame or embarrassment due to our adherence to the firm and unpopular truths of our Lord. Imagine standing in a circle of acquaintances who are discussing the popular sentiment in our culture that no one should think that a sincere religious person is “in error” simply because he or she believes differently than we—that those who believe there is only one way to be saved are bigoted, hateful, and out of touch. Would you feel tempted to stay silent? Would you feel the scandal of confessing belief in the biblical truth that Jesus is the only way (John 14:6)? If you’ve ever been intimidated into silence or compromise because you’ve felt shamed or scorned by friends or family, then you’ve been ashamed of Jesus Christ.

Jesus warned, “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father” (Mark 8:38). In this context, Jesus discusses real discipleship. He explains that whoever wishes to be his disciple must take up his cross and follow him. The cross is a symbol of shameful public suffering and sacrifice for the truth of God. Jesus “despised the shame” of the cross (Heb. 12:2), and anyone who wants to be a true follower of Jesus must also be willing to suffer such shame for his name. The earliest Christians believed such suffering for Jesus was a cause for rejoicing, not recoiling. After being beaten for their faith, Luke says of these true disciples, “they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts 5:41). These brethren rejoiced to be counted worthy to be beaten for the name of Christ; but sometimes we retreat when challenged to stand up against the scorn of misled infidels. What are some truths that might cause embarrassment to immature Christians?

The exclusive nature of the truth in an age of relativism. It can be intimidating when surrounded by those who attempt to signal their virtue by accepting any and all religious claims as equally viable. Today’s climate of cultural inclusivism tends to shame those who believe there is really only one way to be saved. Biblical Christians are made to feel unloving, narrow-minded, and bigoted if they believe sincere believers in other religions are in error and objectively wrong in their religious beliefs and practices. Yet, Jesus’ own claims are unashamedly exclusive in their scope. When Jesus asserts, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6), he is leaving no room for alternative paths to salvation. If we are ashamed of the exclusiveness of Christianity, we are ashamed of the grace of God that our Lord came to make possible. Far from being bigoted and unloving, it is the most loving thing to do to try to correct those who are led astray by error.

The exclusive nature of the church in an age of denominationalism. Too often, uninformed or otherwise misguided brothers and sisters feel embarrassment that we in churches of Christ try to uphold the restoration principles and refuse to fellowship those of the denominational world. Paul said, “have no fellowship with darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). Because we have historically not been part of the local ministerial alliance or other inter-denominational efforts in the community we have been viewed as exclusive and arrogant by our religious neighbors. Often this is too much for some of our brethren and they become embarrassed to be part of such a church. But the exclusiveness of the church is prescribed by the Lord himself. We believe that denominationalism is not sanctioned by God’s word and we seek to uphold that truth in spite of derisive responses. The pejorative claim that “they think they’re the only ones going to heaven” is an unfortunate accusation that causes shame to many brethren and often intimidates them into silence or compromise.

In order to condition our thinking and strengthen our hearts against being ashamed of Jesus we need to take every opportunity to meet together in worship and Bible study. By God’s design, these times together offer many occasions to encourage each other in the truth of the Scriptures as we study God’s word together and sing truthful songs in the worship assembly. We exhort each other as we pray for God’s strength to resist the pull of the world and resolve to never feel shame for the name of our Savior. As Jesus pointed out, why should we be shamed by “an adulterous and evil generation”? What do they have to offer us that is worth more than God’s grace? As Jesus asked, “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

Let us resolve not to let the derision of the people around us force us into the cowardice of compromise and silence. May we never be ashamed of Jesus, his truth, or his soul-saving gospel. The truth, though sometimes narrow and difficult, is nonetheless precious. If we’re ashamed of him he will be ashamed of us (Matt. 10:33). Either we must deny ourselves and follow Christ, or we will deny Christ and follow ourselves. Jesus didn’t leave a third option. So, can it not be said that those who are ashamed of Jesus should really be ashamed of themselves?