A Serving Leadership Insight from the Life of Jesus Christ (Mark 8:38)

“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38)

In Mark 8:38 Jesus clarified that anyone who was ashamed of him or his words in this adulterous and sinful generation would face the same rejection from him when he returned in his Father’s glory with the holy angels. That person rejects Jesus and his teaching to align with those who lustfully pursue temporal and fleeting pleasures on a deviant path toward destruction. Caving to instant gratification is easy, but delaying gratification is better. Serving leaders choose self-control, exchanging momentary happiness for eternal joy. They reject the demands of the crowd to stand for what’s right. Even temporal humiliation and rejection is nothing compared to being spurned and shamed by the Lord of the universe. Serving leaders see the grand, timeless picture. They renounce the path of least resistance to walk a difficult path alone when truth demands it.

KEY QUESTIONS: In which circumstances do I tend to struggle most with taking a stand for Jesus? When does my silence betray that I am ashamed? How have I caved to instant gratification? In what areas of my life do I need greater self-control?