MARK 8:34-38
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
10 Points to Ponder
In this passage, Jesus acknowledges that the world is not ideal, He identifies the reason why (sin), He describes the solution (acknowledging Him), and He predicts how all win end (with judgment).
We know that we are all going to die. We need not fear death, but we should certainly be prepared for it. The most important event you can get ready for is the moment you step into eternity.
Aligning yourself with Jesus means loving what Jesus loved and hating what Jesus hated. It means seeking what Jesus sought and avoiding what Jesus avoided. Those who live this way will never fit in with a world that is opposed to Jesus.
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14)
Romans 1 describes an adulterous and sinful generation as a society that has chosen to worship itself rather than God. They have chosen to ignore the truth they know about God so that they can pursue their own desires and agenda.
We live in an adulterous and sinful generation. We can’t change or control that. What we can control is whether or not we live as part of this generation or in opposition to this generation.
If your faith never costs you anything, you may not be truly living out your faith… or you may not have as much faith as you thought you did.
If we are judged solely on our own works, we’ll all deserve judgment. We need someone to intervene and to take our judgment for us.
I can never earn my own salvation, and I can never keep my own salvation. I’m not good enough. But Jesus is. And Jesus does!
When we face the final judgment, Jesus will either be the prosecuting attorney or he’ll be our defense attorney. The choice is ours.
Nothing else matters if your name is not in the book of life.
Courage That Keeps Us From Shame
(Mark 8:38)
Jesus’ words in Mark 8:38 are arresting:
“Whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed…”
That verse forces an honest question—what keeps people quiet about Jesus?
Often, the answer isn’t doubt. It’s fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of loss. Fear of standing out.
If we don’t want to be ashamed of Jesus, we must learn how to live with courage. And Scripture gives us a clear path.
1. Be Okay with Suffering and Slander
Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy. In fact, He promised the opposite.
In John 15:19–20, Jesus tells His disciples that the world will resist them precisely because they belong to Him. He was hated. He told us to expect the same. Courage begins when we stop being surprised by opposition.
Across the world today, many believers pay a far higher price than social discomfort—thousands are killed each year for their faith. When we experience no tension at all, it’s worth asking whether our faith is visible enough to provoke a response.
Courage doesn’t mean seeking conflict. It means refusing to be controlled by the fear of it.
2. Choose Now to Be Loyal First to Jesus
Peter writes, “In your hearts revere Christ as Lord” (1 Peter 3:15). To revere Christ is to set Him apart—to place Him above every other loyalty.
Marriage gives us a helpful picture. Loyalty isn’t something you turn on and off depending on the room you’re in. A spouse who hides their wedding ring when it’s inconvenient isn’t loyal; they’re compromised.
The same is true with Jesus. When our faith is public on Sunday but hidden the rest of the week, something is out of alignment. Our willingness to speak about Christ is often the clearest indicator of whether He truly holds first place in our lives.
Courage grows when our allegiance is settled.
3. Be Ready With Your Answer
Peter continues:
“Always be prepared to give an answer…for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15).
Preparation matters. But notice what Peter doesn’t say. He doesn’t require expert-level answers to every question. He points us to hope—to expectation.
You don’t need all the answers. You need your answer.
How has Jesus changed your expectations for life?
How has He reshaped your view of eternity?
A life transformed by Christ naturally raises questions. And when those questions come, courage speaks—not harshly, not defensively—but with gentleness and respect.
Courage Is the Fruit of Conviction
Jesus’ warning in Mark 8:38 isn’t meant to paralyze us—it’s meant to clarify us. Courage doesn’t come from personality or volume. It comes from settled loyalty, prepared hearts, and a willingness to follow Jesus even when it costs something.
And when courage grows, shame loses its grip.
Click on the image to download the DiscipleQuest PDF
The DiscipleQuest PDF includes 7 days of verse study prompts. You can use these seven studies to dig deeper into the following verses about following Jesus without shame:
- Romans 1:16-17
- 1 Peter 4:16
- 2 Timothy 1:12
- Hebrews 12:1-2
- Galatians 6:14
- Psalm 119:46
- Matthew 5:11-12
Use these questions as journal prompts or as conversation starters with a group of friends or a Bible study group:
How can fear get in the way of living out our faith? What are you afraid might happen if you fully align your life with Jesus’?
Where do I most feel the pressure to stay quiet about my faith? Why?)
What does Mark 8:37 reveal about Jesus’ value system?
In Mark 8:38, what does Jesus mean by “this adulterous and sinful generation”? In what ways does this description still fit the culture we live in today?
What does it look like—practically—for your life to be aligned with Jesus rather than shaped by cultural approval?
Where am I most tempted to blend in rather than stand firm?)
When I am silent about my faith in Jesus, what am I revealing about myself?
How can Mark 8:38 give me confidence?
What courageous obedience is God inviting you into right now? What is one specific step you can take this week to live more openly aligned with Jesus—at work, at home, or in relationships?
The Most Common Temptation
Not to walk away from Jesus—but to redefine Him
We often reshape Jesus into something more comfortable, useful, or affirming—rather than submitting to who He actually is.
Common Versions of a Re-Defined Jesus
“Trump Card” Jesus
- Jesus always agrees with me—so you must be wrong
- Used to win arguments, not pursue truth
- Often marked by anger, bitterness, and a constant need to fight
“Genie” Jesus
- Jesus exists to grant wishes and fix problems
- Faith is transactional: If I ask, He must deliver
- Quickly abandoned when prayers aren’t answered the way we want
“Birkenstock” Jesus
- Peace, love, and good vibes only
- Uncomfortable with sin, repentance, judgment, or authority
- A Jesus who affirms but never confronts
“Copilot” Jesus (Bailout Jesus)
- “Jesus, take the wheel” — but only in a crisis
- Invited in after poor decisions, not before them
- Often rooted in disappointment with one’s own mess
“Activist” Jesus
- Jesus came primarily to tear down oppressive systems
- Always fighting, never resting
- Lacks peace, joy, and hope
- (This was Judas’ expectation of Jesus)
Bottom Line
Any Jesus who looks exactly like us, agrees with us completely, or exists to serve our agenda is not the Jesus of the Gospels.
The real Jesus doesn’t fit our image—He reshapes it.
Lake Bible Notes 
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