Just as He Said | Day IX

The following reading is part of a larger Easter reading plan. If you would like to download the full, free Easter reading plan, you can do so here. 

Isaiah 53:3

He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

 

Matthew 26:67

Then they spit in His face and struck Him. And some slapped Him…

 

Reflect

We live in a shame-based culture. Historically, the West has not considered itself a shame-based culture, but it is becoming clearer by the day that we, as a culture, are driven and motivated by shame (or by avoiding it). Just this summer three Christian books were released with the same title: Unashamed. The experience of being ashamed is our common denominator and our shared language.

Our Savior bore public shaming beyond our imagination. While he was spit on, slapped, beaten, and mocked – things many of us can perhaps relate to – there is one shame He alone bore. As He endured such reproach, He was (and will always be, praise God) God. He didn’t have to come to walk our earth and bear our shame, but He did. He didn’t have to be incarnated in human flesh which would sting with the blows of human hands, but He did. He bore our shame that He might eternally remove our shame and present us to the Father as a radiant Bride. Through the scorn He endured, He removed the scorn we justly deserved that we might stand before the throne of God without spot or wrinkle. Just as He said He would.

 

Pray

Prayerfully reflect on the mocking and shame Christ endured. Thank Him that He bore the scorn of humanity on our behalf, that He might present us to God without the shame of our own sin.