By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
UNASHAMED
Luke 9:18–27
Inhabitants of the Holy Land live at a crossroads of cultures.
Many in the region are motivated by honor and shame, where personal choices are measured by their implications upon the family and community at large. Others, influenced by Greco-Roman motivations, consider the legal implications of their behaviors from a guilt-innocence perspective. Tribal peoples in the region are generally motivated by fear, with access to spiritual power coming from obedience to their spiritual authorities.
In Scripture, believers are called to obey God, to fear God and to honor God. This week’s passage points to the disciples as men who were not to be ashamed to follow Jesus.
Confess Him (18–20)
The other disciples answered Jesus’ question, but Peter confessed his faith in Jesus. The crowds expressed their opinions, the religious leaders had concerns about His doctrine and witnesses who had seen Jesus perform miracles wondered if He might be Elijah, arriving before the coming of the Messiah (Mal. 4:5; Luke 9:19). Peter simply stated, “You are God’s Messiah.” The Greek term here is “Christos,” from which we get the term Christ. Both Messiah (from Hebrew) and Christ (from Greek) mean “Anointed One.”
This passage has parallels in the other Synoptic Gospels (Matt. 16; Mark 8). Matthew records a lengthier interchange, where Simon Peter offers a fuller confession — “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” — and Jesus speaks blessing over him (16:16–20). Confessing faith in Christ leads to blessing and responsibility.
Accept His Resurrection (21–22)
Jesus foretells the suffering, death and resurrection He would experience. Luke also records two post-resurrection appearances in which Jesus took listeners back to Old Testament teachings to demonstrate that the Messiah’s sufferings were predicted (see 24:25–27 and 44–48).
Jesus testified of His resurrection both before His suffering (passion) and after He was raised from the dead. Elsewhere, the Apostle Paul pointed out that believing in the bodily resurrection of Jesus was an essential response to the gospel message (1 Cor. 15:3–4; Rom. 10:9).
Follow Him Unashamedly (23–27)
Jesus explained to His disciples that there is a cost to discipleship. Following Jesus comes as part of a package deal. Denying self is the first component. Solomon wrote: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end therein is death” (Prov. 14:12). Since the fall, humanity has been bent to pursue our own selfish desires. Our fallen inclination is to seek after evil continually (Gen. 6:5). Progressive cultural influencers argue for self-identification, self-awareness and self-indulgence. These pursuits are antithetical to self-denial. We must embrace Christ in order to deny self.
Taking up one’s cross is the second component. This means we must consider ourselves dead to self. It takes self-denial to the next level. To use Paul’s expressions: “I am crucified with Christ” (Gal. 2:20) and “I die daily” (1 Cor. 15:31).
To carry one’s cross was to take the slow march to crucifixion.
Although they were not yet dead, the men who made their way to Golgotha with Jesus were no longer enjoying worldly pursuits. Nothing would change a man’s death sentence, other than a pardon from the governor. Food for thought: What did Barabbas do with his life after Jesus took his place on death row? What are we doing?
Then and now, Jesus calls His disciples to follow Him unashamedly. We must not be afraid to follow Christ (2 Tim. 1:7). May each one of us take on the attitude of Paul, who confessed: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16).
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