Jesus was encouraging His disciples not to be ashamed of Him and His words for the sake of trying to save their lives. Jesus asked this important question, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Mark 8:36). The answer to this question is there is no lasting benefit. A person can have everything in this world or become the wealthiest and most powerful person on earth, but if he/she ends up in hell for eternity after his death because of rejecting Jesus Christ, it is not worth it. A good example is the people who committed a crime and spent the rest of their lives in prison. Hell is a place of a fiery furnace where a person's soul will never die and will be in constant pain and misery for eternity.
Our Lord Jesus Christ came to save us from the punishment of sin. He died on the cross and was resurrected from the grave so that those who believe in Him will not perish to hell but have eternal life. Jesus encouraged His disciples to not exchange their souls for something that would lead them to eternal condemnation. However, our Heavenly Father accepts those who will not be ashamed of Jesus and His words. They will be saved from eternal punishment.
Let us not be ashamed of Jesus wherever we are. We must be bold in our faith in Christ Jesus and not hide it because Jesus is the only Savior that can save anyone from going to hell. There will come a time when Jesus will return to this world as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Every knee will bow down before Him, and every tongue will confess that He is the LORD! And for us who believe in Him, we will be with Him and enjoy His reign.
Ask yourself these questions: What happens to those who are ashamed of Jesus? Am I trying to hide my faith from those people around me for fear that I will be ridiculed? Am I thankful and proud of my faith in Jesus?
Write down all the worries you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for encouraging me today to not be ashamed of my faith in Jesus. Please help me to be bold in my faith in Jesus and not be intimated or fearful. Please give me the courage to tell others about Jesus so that they may have a chance to believe in Him and be forgiven of their sins. Thank you for saving me. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.