Day 20 – Resurrection Overturns Shame
Though treated shamefully in his death on the cross, God vindicated Jesus by raising him from the dead and lifting him up through his ascension and seating him at the right hand of God.
“But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9).
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:8-9).
The book of Revelation repeatedly uses the language of honor to describe Jesus’ current status. “In a loud voice they were saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’” (Revelation 5:12). (Also Revelation 4:9, 11; 5:11-12; 7:12; 21:26.)
Through his resurrection, ascension, and seating at the right hand of God the Father, Jesus overturned our sin and our shame!
Through his resurrection, as Christ followers we have victory over the condemnation of sin before a just and holy God. Our sin is removed and we are justified before God.
Through his resurrection, we also have victory over the shame of being disgraced before God and others. Our shame is removed and we sit with Christ in the place of honor. “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6).
Though his incarnation, Jesus became one of us. He knows the shame we feel.
Through his death, he experienced the lowest of the low of shame – disgrace, ridicule, humiliation, unworthiness, contempt, condemnation. He took all shame into himself.
Through his being raised from the dead and lifted into glory, he forever lives in God’s honor. He declares us free from the shame that binds us and liberates us as sons and daughters of God.
Whenever and wherever and however Jesus encountered shame, he overturned it for you and for me. You are in Christ. Christ is in you. Christ is living his life through you.
Today: Step into your risen life in Christ in overturning and rising above shame.
~ Pastor Dave
