What Jesus Did! 'Not Ashamed' — Matthew 10:32-33

Friday, May 9, 2025

[Jesus continued his warning and instructions to the apostles when he sent them out:] "Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven."
— Matthew 10:32-33 NLT

Key Thought

Life is really all about who we are trying to please. When it's all said and done, who do we want to claim they love us, claim they're proud of us, and claim us as their own? I want Jesus to do all three with me! Anything else I accomplish in life won't mean anything if those three things don't happen now and when I meet him face-to-face. You see, Jesus lived for those things with his Father and was successful: "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy" (Luke 3:22). Jesus tells us in today's verses that we can look forward to that same welcoming statement if we confess him before others.

Today's Prayer

Holy Father, Righteous God, and Almighty Savior, I believe Jesus of Nazareth was your Son, come in human flesh, and is both Christ and Lord. Give me the strength not only to confess that before all who ask but also to live in such a way that they ask me about my hope and my confidence and my salvation. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Confessing Christ
Article by Alan Smith
Do you have the right accent to say this one? No matter what language, dialect, or accent, saying Jesus is Lord is the key thing for all of us to say.

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 10:32-33 NLT — "Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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