Luke 9:26
"For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels," Luke 9:26. Through Luke 9:23-26 we see a pattern of people's lives. We see the broad road and the narrow road, and those who are on those roads. "Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it," Matthew 7:13-14. As Christ would preach and teach, He would always make a distinction between true followers and false followers. There was always a command to examine yourself by what Jesus said. We see a few examples in Luke 6:43-49 when Christ taught on fruit bearing and the two foundations. In Luke 8 Christ taught the parable of the sower, seed, and soils. More clear teaching on who is truly saved and those who are not. There is a constant call to examine ourselves by Scripture, and to agree with what Scripture says about us. Jesus Christ is not only proclaiming these truths to the multitudes, but also to His disciples. Why to His disciples also? Turn to John 6:60-71. Just because someone claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ does not mean that they are. If you only act like a Christian when you are around other Christians, then you are not truly a Christian.
What does it mean to be a Christian? A true Christian does not live a life ashamed of Jesus Christ, or His Words. We see an example of Peter when he denied Jesus three times, but this was not Peter's pattern of life. Peter had lots of problems with himself, but his pattern of life was a life that loved his Lord and Saviour. This was proclaimed by Peter's life and death. What does it mean to be ashamed of Christ in this context? "Shall be ashamed" in Luke 9:26 means to feel shame for something:- be ashamed. To be ashamed of Christ means to be ashamed of who He is as Messiah, Saviour, Redeemer, Lord, and King. To be ashamed of His grace, righteousness, forgiveness, blood, sacrifice, etc. This means you do not want to be associated with Christ because of the shame His name, office, and work brings from a worldly perspective.
Not only are you ashamed of Him, but you are also ashamed of His words. His words proclaim who He is. His words are His doctrines. His words are offensive to an adulterous and sinful generation. Every generation is an adulterous and sinful generation. To be ashamed of Jesus's words means to hate His words. This means you do not want to be associated with His words. You are glad to use them when they are beneficial for you, and this usually consists of taking them out of context or twisting them to fit your agenda, which is what the lost world does. To be ashamed of His words also means you form your own conclusions on what they mean. To be ashamed of His words means you do not submit to them, which means you do not believe them, which means you actually hate His words. When someone is ashamed of Christ and His word they will preserve themselves, they would rather the desires and pleasures of this world; these people, this person, you, will be, are, ashamed of Jesus Christ and His words; and your pattern of life shows it.
Is this really a big deal? In the grand scheme of life, does this really matter? "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels," Luke 9:26. This is a big deal, and it matters for eternity. All authority and judgment has been given to Jesus Christ by His Father. At His appearing, He will judge the quick and the dead with righteous judgment. All will stand before Him. All who were ashamed of Him while they lived, He will be ashamed of them on judgment day. You will hear the most dreaded words anyone will ever hear, "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity," Matthew 7:23.
"When He shall come" means to come; in a future sense; of what is certain to take place. Christ is coming back. We can stake our eternity on this biblical truth. The lost world has always mocked those who proclaimed the word of God, and mocked those who were looking for a coming Messiah, and are still mocking those of us who are longing and looking for the return of our Lord and Saviour (II Peter 3:1-7). More than mocking us, they are mocking Jesus Christ and His words. One day this mocking will turn into weeping and gnashing of teeth. "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father," Philippians 2:9-11.
Christ is coming back in glory. "Glory" is the Greek word "doxa", and speaks of that which excites admiration or to which honour is ascribed: spoken of Kings; regal majesty, splendor, pomp, magnificence, of the glory of Christ's second coming. Those whom Christ has saved do not live a pattern of being ashamed of Christ. We live looking for His return. What a glorious day that will be! While on this earth we sing songs unto our Lord and Saviour. One song we sing is known as the doxology; doxa, glory, and logos, words. We sing glory words. "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen." We read Scripture and our admiration of Christ is excited, and we sing praises to Him, but this doesn't compare to what and how we will sing when we see Him as He is arrayed in His heavenly glory (Revelation 5, 7:9-12; I John 3:2; Revelation 22:15). We look forward to this day, and we are not ashamed of Him. We are not ashamed of Him because He has saved our souls. We who were once ashamed are no longer ashamed because He broke that pattern of our life when He saved us (II Corinthians 5:17). We love Him, and we are not ashamed, so we tell the world about Him.
There is a misconception with Luke 9:26 in that many think Christ is speaking to the saved, but He isn't. He is making another distinction between the saved and the lost. When you examine your life by Scripture, what is the verdict? Has Jesus Christ saved you, or are you ashamed of Him? If Jesus has saved you, praise Him, if He has not, then we beg you to turn from your sins, confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe on Him. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out," John 6:37.
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Soli Deo Gloria.
