Brené Brown, has focused her academic research on what shame does to us. She defines shame as “the intensely painful feeling that we are unworthy of love and belonging.”
It’s related to guilt, but different. Guilt is a focus on behavior, but shame is a focus on self. Guilt says, “I did something bad,” but shame says, “I am bad.”
Shame can arise from our own sins and moral failures, but it can also arise from sins and wrongs done against us. For example, survivors of childhood sexual abuse can tell you they feel shame even though they didn’t cause the abuse. Shame is the feeling that you’re worthless, dirty, contaminated, unlovable.
Such feelings lead to a host of pathologies. Brown says, “Shame is highly, highly correlated with addiction, depression, violence, aggression, bullying, suicide, eating disorders.”
So, if we could do something with our shame, we could start solving a lot of other things associated with it.
The cross is the place to begin. We see deep shame there. The Romans used crucifixion to highlight a condemned man’s weakness and failure. In John 19:16-24, a mocking sign was posted above Jesus, fellow failures hung beside Jesus, and beneath Jesus indifferent soldiers divided his meager possessions. Our Beloved was pinned to the cross—naked, exposed, with literally nothing left to call his own.
But Hebrews 12:2 celebrates Jesus by saying, “Jesus… endured the cross, scorning its shame.”
Jesus bore the shame to free you from yours.
In Isaiah 54:4-5, God says:
Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth….
What is the basis of this assurance? God explains:
For your Maker is your husband—
the Lord Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer….
When you live in that reality, you’ll be able to shed your shame. Read John 19:16-24 then study the passage with us this weekend. We’ll begin our worship service online and on campus at 10am.
--Tom
Tom Goodman serves as pastor at Hillcrest Church in Austin, Texas. His sermons are available on YouTube and the HillcrestToGo Podcast and you can find him on Facebook and Twitter. If someone forwarded this email newsletter to you, sign up here to receive Tom’s weekly devotional in your email inbox.