Luke and the Lost

Have you ever suffered an embarrassment because of your own folly in front of family and friends? You knew immediately you would never live it down. You knew that this act of “oops” would go down in history and come back to the surface of conversation many times just to get another laugh or two at your expense. First of all, learn to laugh at yourself. Enjoy the laughter you give to others because of your silly mistakes. All of us have at least a few stories of embarrassment to tell. Instead of taking the time to share my follies here, I want to jump right to God’s Word that challenges us about taking a stand, running the risk of embarrassment.

Luke 9, The Message
Don’t Run from Suffering
18 One time when Jesus was off praying by himself, his disciples nearby, he asked them, “What are the crowds saying about me, about who I am?”

19 They said, “John the Baptizer. Others say Elijah. Still others say that one of the prophets from long ago has come back.”

20-21 He then asked, “And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?”

Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” Jesus then warned them to keep it quiet. They were to tell no one what Peter had said.

22 He went on, “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the religious leaders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and on the third day be raised up alive.”

23-27 Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I’m leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn’t, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God.”

Will He be embarrassed by our walk and talk? Let us get passed the timidness of our faith and declare who He is and why we follow our Lord. The humiliation our Savior suffered will never compare to our mere embarrassments. There are those who are truly suffering and losing their lives because they will not stop declaring Who Jesus is and that He is their Lord. THAT is embracing suffering!

Don’t run from suffering embarrassment because we are willing to take a stand and say WHO we belong to and follow. There are many who going beyond the fear and worry of embarrassment and taking a stand knowing they will be killed by Isis and other factions who have risen up in might to oppose God’s Son and what Jesus has done for us. Remember, our war is not against flesh and blood but against evil and satan, the fallen angel, who thinks he is in control, at the helm, in this world. We have something satan wants and he will do anything to get it…but only if we let him. Remember also, that greater is He that is in us than he that is in this world. The day has come for Christians to lay down the fear of embarrassment and walk, talk, live and declare Jesus as their Savior and Lord. There will be a time of reckoning.

“Who do YOU say that I am”, says Jesus.

Dear Heavenly Father, This passage stirs our hearts and encourages our walk in so many ways. It also causes me to remember our brothers and sisters all over the world who are indeed suffering and losing their physical lives as they declare You as their Lord. We are comforted by the fact that You now hold them in the Your arms, because they did not run from suffering embarrassment. Wow. I pray for their families who mourn. Be our strength and our resolve as the world gets a bit tougher each day. The day of your coming back must be getting closer and closer. Continue to be with us…through it all.
In Jesus Name, Amen