“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8-9 (ESV)
Our verse today is powerful in truth and wisdom. The huge crowds “so many thousands” were clambering around Jesus. To them Jesus was the miracle maker and many were caught up by their curiosity but not truly followers. He begins to use this mass attraction to teach his disciples and warns those who might be unwilling to recognize Him as the promised Messiah. The disciples and all people had to make a choice. To acknowledge denotes the fact that the disciples believed Him as the Messiah and therefore they had access to the way of salvation. Those who did not acknowledge Him were denying themselves the way of salvation. Not every promise that Jesus made is a blessing promise. Some, like these warnings are for us today promise consequences that we need to heed. If, with open hearts, we choose to acknowledge and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, God will acknowledge us before the angels. The meaning of ‘acknowledge’ used here is an act of recognition free from any denial. For those who don’t acknowledge Christ publicly when the opportunity is given, they are considered deniers and the promise is God’s denial of them. Acknowledge, don’t deny our Lord.
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