Pastor John, sometimes the verse becomes so familiar to us that we just read it without

stopping to reflect on what the words actually mean. But by pausing and paying closer attention to

it, we can make discoveries that can alter our lives forever. One such verse is Mark 838. It's part of a larger

argument in Jesus' teaching. And in fact, it appears to be the bottom line of a bigger argument

he's making, which makes it even more important that we not rush past this verse. Jesus says this,

For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and

sinful generation, of him will the son of man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his

father with the holy angels.

The idea of Jesus being ashamed is a striking and unsettling thought for us.

Can you help us understand why he says this and help us imagine what such divine shame might look like on the day of judgment.

Verse 38 really is a striking verse. And it's striking for two reasons at least. One is that it's

hard to imagine Jesus being ashamed. I mean, just the thought of it stops me dead in my tracks.

If Jesus says, I'm going to be ashamed of you.

That's just striking.

Jesus, ashamed?

And the other is that this verse is the fourth and bottom level of a four-step argument for faithful

discipleship, taking up your cross and following Jesus. It's the deepest argument in a four-step

argument for why we should take up our cross and follow Jesus.

So let me just walk through the argument and then we'll linger for a moment over what that might be,

Jesus being ashamed.

So here's the whole argument. Jesus says in verse 34 of Mark

8, if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

...