Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Shame is a very cruel thing because it cripples us for
life. It may range from embarrassment to complete unworthiness. It damages our
personality and confuses our identity. The roots often go down to different
experiences in our childhood.
Some of the common ones are failure, weakness, accusation
or emotional or sexual abuse. Only when we come to the foot of the Cross, will
we be set free from shame. The scars of shame can only be healed by the grace
of God.
Isaiah 50:6 “I gave my back to those who struck me, and my
cheeks to those who plucked out the beard, I did not hide my face from shame
and spitting”.
On the Cross, Jesus bore our shame. There is no form of
death more shameful than crucifixion. It was the lowest form of punishment
reserved for the most debased of criminals. The Cross was an instrument of
shame and torture.
The victim was stripped completely naked. Jesus hung naked
on the Cross before the eyes of people for three hours or more. People walked
past and made fun of him.
Hebrew 12:2 “Jesus, the author, and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy set before Him, endured the Cross, despising the shame”.
The shame that Jesus endured on the cross has opened the
way for all who trust in Him to be released from their own shame.
Not only that, He then also shares with us the glory which
belongs to Him by eternal right!
Dear Lord, we thank You that You took not only our sins
away on the cross but also the shame. We pray that we would have a boldness and
love for others and share Your great love with them. In the Name of Jesus,
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment