Exchanges Pt 2

I’m doing a series of posts on BIG TIME EXCHANGES we all ought to consider. For example, who wouldn’t want to exchange SHAME for FORGIVENESS?

Jesus was no stranger to shame. On the cross,  the most extreme example of shame, He not only                                              paid for our sins, He bore our shame. ❤️

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, SCORNING ITS SHAME, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”                                                                                         Hebrews 12:2

Everything about the cross is shameful:

Publicly placed on display.

Naked.

Beaten and bloodied.

Hung with the dregs of society.

Ridiculed and mocked.

Just think about it . . . Jesus bore that, endured that, suffered that for you and me. It’s almost unbelievable. 🤔

So, don’t ever think He doesn’t understand and identify with your shame. Two of the most welcomed words to our ears are “Me too!”

“This High Priest of ours (Jesus) understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.”                                                                                       Hebrews 4:15

So, rather than bathe in shame . . . bask in forgiveness! It would make no sense to refuse this exchange. Accept His payment by asking for and receiving His forgiveness. 😌

I like what Brenne Brown says. “Those who have a strong sense of love and belonging are separated by one variable from those who do not. Those who have a strong sense of love and belonging believe that they are worthy of love and belonging.  They believe that they are worthy.”

The cross says . . . YOU ARE WORTHY! 

Live in the shadow of the cross!

Live in the joy of forgiveness!