Despising the Shame

Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame.” It doesn’t mean that he was thinking, “I despise having to do this,” or “I despise all of you for putting me through this.” Jesus was not despising the fact that he was shamed, he was despising the shame itself, because of the joy set before him. Jesus was on that cross, despising the shame, mocking it, dismissing its power, and turning that weapon of the devil into a weapon against him.

Colossians 2:14-15 says that God used the cross to disarm the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Jesus. The demons thought they were shaming Jesus, but he was shaming them. Hear him despise that shame, saying, all these weapons you use against me will be used against you. Give me all you’ve got, because the very things you put on me will lose their power. I’ll disarm you, I’ll take those weapons from you, and there will be no condemnation for those whose faith is in me. 

A person being crucified was regarded as despicable, but Jesus disregarded that. Jesus hated what shame does to you, he despises it. So, Jesus endured shame that he might take away your shame. He didn’t come to shame you out of your sins. He came to take the shame of your sins away so that you wouldn’t have to live like you’re condemned.

On the cross, Jesus delivered you from your shame. Jesus despised the shame of the cross, he dismissed it as nothing compared to his mission. The mockers poured their shame on him, but he disregarded it. Compared to the joy set before him, the shame wasn’t enough to stop him. Jesus endured the pain, and took your shame. He paid the price willingly, even joyfully.

Jesus gave you hope, not only for heaven, but for life on earth. Romans 5:5 says hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 8:1 says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 10:11 says everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.

Jesus can save you from your sins, and he can deliver you from your shame. When shame comes to drown you in condemnation, whether it be the ghosts of your past, the whispers of others, or the accusations of your adversary the devil, you can look at the cross of Jesus Christ and know that he takes your shame, and gives you joy in its place. Feel your forgiveness.   

You might have a lot of regrets, you might have gone through a lot of pain, and you might feel as if there is no way you’ll ever break free from the shame that has you beat down, and hiding your heart. Because of what has happened, what you have done, and what’s been done to you, you might feel like you aren’t worth much to God, or anyone else.

Maybe your shame has you so far down inside yourself that no one really knows who you are. You might even have yourself fooled. But God knows you, better than you know yourself. And when shame tries to trap you, turn to Jesus with your whole heart, all those hidden parts. Believe in his sacrifice to deliver you from shame. And realize that you are worth something because Christ is worth everything.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Make God’s Dream Your Dream

You know, people often pray, “God, use me.” Well, he is using you, the Bible makes that abundantly clear. When you became a Christian, you became an example. God IS using you. You get to really know God by really getting into what God is already doing. Instead of waiting for God to do some big thing first. Stop dreaming about being a celebrity Christian influencer, and start being a godly influence. You don’t need to reach millions of people who won’t really know you. You need to reach the many who do know you.

I am not telling you not to dream big. I am saying you aren’t dreaming big enough! You see, the biggest dream is God’s dream. But God’s dream isn’t really a dream like we think of it. His dream isn’t a hope, or wish. It’s a continuing reality. And if you want to do this thing right, if you want to be a good, godly example, you need to make God’s dream your dream. And God’s dream for you is happening right now. God is using you right where you are. Wherever you are. Whenever you are. However you are.

In this life, your future is right now. You don’t need to be big to be built. Big is what God says, how God sees, not how we see. Walk by faith, not by sight. People want God to do something big for them so that they can do something big for God. But they have the wrong measure. God is interested in quality, not quantity. Be interested in quality, and God will take care of the quantity. And it isn’t that if you have good quality that God will increase your quantity. This isn’t about increasing the size and scope of your influence for God. This is about increasing the depth of God’s influence on you.   

Your life can be a witness to the worth of Jesus. Not because everything always goes good for you. But because your life proclaims your faith that Jesus is worth it no matter what is going on with you. 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Home Is What Your Heart Wants

There is a good reason, a God reason that you feel a longing in your heart, a longing that nothing you do seems to satisfy. At least not for long. Maybe you have the resources to be like Solomon, and you can just go from thing to thing to thing. But just like him, it won’t last, and you find the same dead end. Solomon isn’t the only one who discovered that this life isn’t enough.

There are a lot of good, wonderful, and joyful things in this life. But nothing in this life is enough to satisfy that longing in your heart. No job, no spouse, no children, no career, no fame, or fortune, or wisdom, or whatever. You see this all over. Everyone clamors for more, more, more. Even those who are content have times of loneliness, and distance, and wondering if this is all there is. Even people with everything are still missing something.

And you know all too well that there is something missing. Something you need but you don’t yet fully have. But no matter how many people try to find it, it is not of this world. Only a Christian can truly find it. What is it? It is this: Your eternal soul longs for your eternal home.

That is the way God designed you, with a longing for what you cannot yet fully see, but somehow know exists. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says it this way – he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 1 Corinthians 13:12 says – For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. Home is what your heart really wants. Philippians 3:20-21 says – But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.  

What do you do while you wait? Your need for now is to realize your significance, satisfaction, and security in Jesus. Augustine said – “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they can find peace in you.” You live for today by having an eye for tomorrow, an eye for the treasures in Heaven. Otherwise, you’ll look to fulfill that longing with the things of this earth. The things of this life are more meaningful with God. But even so, they can never be enough to fully satisfy the redeemed soul.

This longing is easy to sense when things aren’t going well. But sometimes, you will feel this longing even when things are going well. You know how it is. You’ve got it the way you want it. Everything is right. Nothing seems out of place. And yet you still feel out of place. Why? Because your eternal soul hears the eternal call of your eternal savior from your eternal home.

Jesus is reminding you that he’s coming soon, to bring you home.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©