I’ve done many things in my 78 years that I’m ashamed of. When something drives one of those things home to me, even today, I want to cover my face with my hands and shiver with my shame. I understand what it means to cover myself with fig leaves, don’t you? I suppose everyone has some things that they are ashamed of. Shame is disgrace, embarrassment, dishonor, humiliation, indignity, and ignominy. I don’t want to stir your memory with painful moments, but I’m sure you remember something that brought those sensations to you. I can’t imagine the horror I’d feel if some of the things of my past were recorded and broadcast over the screens at church. Disgrace, embarrassment, and humiliation would not be sufficient to describe my feelings.
It’s likely that many of you, like me, carry these memories of shame. Some in this world bear a heavier burden than you, and I do. Can you fathom the weight of carrying the collective shame of all humanity? I can’t! Max Lucado beautifully captures this in his writing, “One wave of shame after another was dumped on Jesus. Though he never cheated, he was convicted as a cheat. Though he never stole, heaven regarded him as a thief. Though he never lied, he was considered a liar. Though he never lusted, he bore the shame of an adulterer. Though he always believed, he endured the disgrace of an infidel.” How did Jesus bear the shame of the world? The burden is unimaginable, but it’s a burden he willingly took upon himself, offering us a path to redemption.
Max continues, “What gave Jesus the strength to endure the shame of all the world? We need an answer, don’t we? Like Jesus we are tempted. Like Jesus we are accused. Like Jesus we are ashamed. But unlike Jesus, we give up. We give out. We sit down. How can we keep running as Jesus did? How can our hearts have the endurance Jesus had?” The answer lies in Hebrews 12:2-3. It tells us that because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Consider the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. There’s joy awaiting us also. In Zephaniah 3:11, we read, “On that day you will no longer need to be ashamed, for you will no longer be rebels against me.”