The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Thursday, 9 January 2014 - “Ashamed?” Read Luke 22

The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Thursday, 9 January 2014 -  “Ashamed?” Read Luke 22: Peter Denies Jesus

54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. 55 When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56 Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

Jesus said, “If anyone is ashamed of me . . . the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38 (NIV))

Recently I discovered that it is possible to love Jesus deeply and to be his follower and yet to be ashamed of Jesus when faced with an awkward choice. I routinely receive help and advice from a skilled nurse. On my last appointment, she suggested that I fill in an “activity diary” for a week. Afterward, she would study and discuss my entries with me. A problem arose when I came to filling in the Tuesday section. On that day each week a friend comes for coffee and a time of prayer. But I just put “for coffee” in the diary, not wanting to reveal more. A few days later a neighbor told me of an operation she was facing. “I’ll be thinking of you,” I assured her as we parted. What I meant was “I’ll be praying for you,” but I didn’t want to use those religious-sounding words. Later, I read the words of Mark 8:38 during my devotional time. Those words stung me. I was recently guilty on two counts and guilty many other times in the past. Could I, who love Jesus deeply, be ashamed of him? I had to face the stark truth that I could, and then tell Jesus how sorry I was. Most of all I asked for his words and courage to speak my faith next time. (The Author-Elaine M. Brown (Perthshire, Scotland))

Thought for the Day: Christ’s love compels us to share that love with others.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, give us courage so that you will never have cause to be ashamed of us. Amen.

Prayer focus: For a willingness to share my faith

-------