Jesus frees us from our shame. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us” (2 Cor. 5:21, NIV). Hebrews 12:2 states: “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (NIV). Even if there had been no physical pain on the Cross, Jesus still had to endure the public shame of being executed naked as a criminal, being rejected by his people the Jews and abandoned by nearly all of his disciples. Yet, he willingly embraced the shame. The rulers judged him a sinner and all the shame of our sins hung on the Cross with Christ.
When Christ substituted for our sins he also substituted for our shame for sins. Before we received Christ we bore the shame of our sins. True shame is rooted in our sin or in sin inflicted on us. When humans rebelled in the Garden they became aware of their corruption and dishonor and put on fig leaves and hid from God. Now we all have this awareness of dishonor, which we call shame. Some have a much stronger experience of shame because of life experiences. But after the Cross sins cannot harm those in Christ. By curing us of our sin he cured us of the shame that comes with it. Since there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Rom. 8:1), there is also no shame that can bind us. Our New Adam self is shame-free because it is made in the image of Christ, though our old self might lead us into shame or others may inflict shame on us.
Shame often leads to a bigger problem: self-rejection. Shame easily becomes self-rejection when we let the sense of dishonor, disgrace or inadequacy become a belief about ourselves, specifically, our value. This is where shame becomes deeply destructive; we decide that we are devalued or unacceptable.
Following is a meditation to help you eliminate shame:
- Absorb Scripture. Read 2 Corinthians 5:21: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (NIV). Read it with your name in it. Imagine an image or scene that represents it (such as Christ on the Cross), or imagine Jesus standing in front of you speaking these words to you; how does this affect you?
- Feelings and Emotions Reflection. Ask yourself: What feelings or emotions (for example, peace, joy, gratefulness, doubt, fear, pain, resistance), if any, did I experience during or after absorbing this passage? Why was I feeling this way? What desires did I feel? Express feelings, emotions and desires to God.
- Truth Commitment. Invite God to reveal your heart then ask yourself: How much do I believe that Jesus became sin and shame for me? Do I have any sin or shame that I don’t think Christ has taken to himself? Ruminate on the truth that Christ has taken all your sin and shame to himself for at least two minutes until you embrace it as much as possible.
- Virtue & Action Commitment. Invite God to reveal your heart then ask yourself: Am I generally merciful and forgiving toward myself as much as God is? How can I let the truth of the passage set me free from shame? Tell God what changes you are committed to making and ask him for help.
- Reception (Contemplation.) Ask Jesus a question about this topic. Sit with a quiet and open heart for at least 60 seconds.
How did this meditation affect any shame you had? Can you remind yourself of this meditation each day in order to fully defeat your shame?
