Shame

In a fallen world, shame is a tragically common part of our daily lives. It is--at least, it should be--impossible to see a drunk in the gutter, a 'perp walk,' or our own sin without feeling a sense of shame at the sheer sinfulness of sin. We are shamed by faults, by injustice, and sometimes by history. In any case, it surrounds us and pervades the world in which we live.

But we often forget that even the Son of God experienced shame during His time on earth; for this reason we refer to this time as His 'humiliation' in contrast to His 'glorification.' During His life and especially drawing near to His death He experienced greater shame than many of us will ever know (cf. Is. 53:2-9, Phil. 2:5-8). From a human perspective, Jesus died in humiliation and weakness, bereft of power and of all divine support...

...but that was not the Lord's perspective. In the economy of the Lord what is highly esteemed by humans is often detestable to God (cf. Luke 16:15) and what is abhorrent to men is often precious to God. It is for this reason that the Lord brings fame out of reproach, power out of weakness, and timeless efficacy out of what appears to be an untimely end--in the death of Christ, what appeared to be His shame was actually His glory!

Listen here to find out more.