Luke 12 - Would You Confess Your Belief in Jesus Publicly?


Luke 12:8 “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say,12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
As the disdain for Jesus began to rise among the Pharisees, Jesus knew that the time was coming when they would take him by force.  He also knew that the disciples would be called out as his followers.  They would even be brought out publicly and asked to declare if they knew Jesus or not.  The word "acknowledge" is also translated "confess" which actually I like better.  Acknowledge seems a little more passive to me, but to confess is to be honest and forthcoming in a public sense.  It is not to hide behind a mask like the hypocrites.
Of course we all know the story of Peter who denied confessing Jesus as His Lord three times. It was a dark moment for him, yet Jesus had predicted it.  I don't think Jesus did this to shame Peter. Later Jesus' words would comfort Peter knowing the Jesus already knew what he was going to do.  After his resurrection, Jesus reinstates Peter and makes him the chief apostle of the church commanding him to go and feed the sheep.  Even though Peter failed to confess Jesus, he was given a second chance and did quite well with it. 
How about you?  How do you react when you are in situation to publicly acknowledge that Jesus is your Savior?  Increasingly Christians are seen as naive at best and racist at worst for confessing Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Though we have freedom of speech in almost every respect, even to say disgusting things, to say Jesus is Lord can get one in a lot of trouble.  Just look in the newspapers as teachers are let go for acknowleging they are Christians and/or practicing their faith.  Our Vice President was just mocked and ridiculed by a popular talk show host when acknowledged he talks with Jesus and tries to listen to him when making decisions.  
My friends we live in challenging times, but no more so than Jesus' first disciples.  It takes courage and consideration to confess your faith in Jesus in today's public square.  But know this, at the end of your life when Jesus comes back and all people will know He is the Savior and Lord of the world, you will be glad you had the courage to acknowledge him when you were on this earth.  

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