Honor Bound

For whosoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He comes in His glory  Luke 9:26

Ashamed – We read these words and immediately exclaim, “I would never be ashamed of Jesus.”  We think that what Jesus has in mind are acts that humiliate, like denying that He is the Son of God.  We know very well what it feels like to be ashamed.  There is probably not one among us who hasn’t suffered the poisonous bite of belittling.  But Jesus has something more in mind here than the current psychological parlance about self-respect.  In the ancient world, honor and shame carried a much bigger load than we give these two virtues today.  Yes, that’s right.  Shame can be a virtue.  Just consider this.

The Greek word is epaischunthe.  In the ancient world, shame was a necessary ingredient for social stability.  In fact, people without shame were considered dangerous because they showed no regard for the court of public opinion.  Only those among us who have a healthy sense of shame are willing to take positive steps to secure honor.  These others adopted the “I don’t care” attitude that is so remarkably present today.  In a society void of public censure, citizens soon learn that there are really no rules.

This is the context of Jesus’ remark.  It is not that we humiliate Him; it is that we show no regard for His opinion of us.  Now the blade cuts a little deeper.  Did you honor Jesus’ opinion when you were enraged toward your enemy?  Did you hold His evaluation in deep respect when you acted unfaithfully toward your friend?  Did you recognize His code of conduct when you disparaged that “awful” person?  Did you acknowledge His authority when you embarrassed your spouse?  Were you cognizant of His tenderness when you belittled your child?

It is not enough to claim that we are not ashamed of Jesus.  Shame is about how much of His opinion of us we allow to have authority in our lives.  Every time we act according to our own agendas without submitting to the court of the King’s opinion, we shovel shame on our Lord.  And Jesus makes it quite clear that the kind of shame He wishes us to ponder is not only about character but about His teaching.  When we hesitate, resist, excuse or rationalize any of His clear directives, we have in fact slapped the Master with the accusing shout, “What you think does not matter to me!”

The penalty for such action is severe indeed.

“Lord, forgive me for my arrogance, my independence and my self-willed discrediting of Your assessment of my life.  Give me the strength to look upon myself as You see me – and may I always seek to exhibit honor for Your name.”