Unashamed

“This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey…”- Matthew 21:4-5

Anyone else get easily embarrassed by stuff? Mortifying moments that make us wish we had invisibility as a superpower. I remember a fourth grade school pick-up, as my mom strolled onto the scene with pink hair! That infamous moment had me fuming, pretending to be someone else’s child, and dreading what my classmates would say the next day.

With this weekend’s Palm Sunday celebration, we are reminded of how Jesus came willing to get low in order to fulfill God’s plan. His earthly life was a picture of being UNASHAMED. Being from Nazareth, the son of a carpenter, associating with outcasts, and even dying on the cross, did not deter Jesus even if others ridiculed and rejected Him for it. His ALL-IN living for Father God found Jesus riding on a donkey towards His death sentence. In the eyes of the world this looked ridiculous (not exactly first-class transportation), but in others it caused a raucous praise event (perhaps the first-ever recorded block party)! Matthew 21:8-9 says, “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When it comes to our faith in Jesus, we are to be UNAFRAID and UNASHAMED. In Luke 9:26 Jesus says, “Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” One moment of regret early on in my Jesus journey happened after a powerful encounter at summer camp. I was a changed person and ready to conquer the world for Jesus. However, the next week in youth group I was quiet, reserved, and acting disinterested. The reason for my reversing course and reserved nature? The cool kids were sitting in the row behind me. What had me feeling bad, turned to being mad, and I made a vow to never let anyone or anything rob my confidence and joy in Jesus. We all need to be more like David who doubled down when chastised for looking silly while dancing for God. In 2 Samuel 6:22 the king said, “I will become even more undignified than this.”

Let’s remove the restraints that keep us holding onto control, not wanting to look foolish, and worrying about what others will think or say about us. In 1 Corinthians 4:9b-10 Paul says, “We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ!” This Easter season let’s speak up, step out, and show the world how much we love Jesus! Here are some ways to be unabandoned and unashamed:

- Share a testimony or word at church!

- Offer to pray for people!

- Get Water Baptized on April 8!

- Invite and bring someone to our Easter Saturday Service!