Mark 8:36-38 - If anyone is ashamed of me

8:36,37

We may prosper in the world’s terms, but what good does that do if we then lose our soul?  Indeed “what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” The stark reality is that our lives are done for, the wages of sin are death. So if we hold on to our life, we are holding on to a sinking ship. This is not a sensible thing to do. Jesus and the gospel call on us to face up to the reality of the situation. We deceive ourselves into thinking that we are not too bad really, that mankind is basically good. Nothing could be further from the truth.

8:38

Jesus then talks about the final judgement. There is a final judgement, and mankind is not his own judge. Ultimately we will all have to answer to God, and the key element of that judgement is whether or not we are ashamed of Jesus Christ. Note that it also says “and my words”. This includes being ashamed of the Bible. “Adulterous and sinful” generation alludes to the description in the Old Testament of Israel and Judah as adulterers. The truth is that Jesus will return “in His Father’s glory”. Christ is the One we should be concerned about, far more than what this world thinks about us.