Drawn to the Gospel

We all carry the weight of shame, whether from failed relationships, regrettable decisions, or second-hand shame from the actions of others. We feel a deep sense of failure, as if our chance has passed. It is no wonder that movies are filled with stories of trying to prove ourselves.  “This is my chance to prove myself,” says Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Does our shame come from replaying that story in our minds?

But what if there’s a different story? A true story that shatters the power of shame. A story that calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus:

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

The gospel story is about the Son of God, instead of avoiding disgrace, He willingly embraced it, bearing our sins and shame upon Himself. He experienced ultimate rejection.

In Jesus, we have a God intimately acquainted with shame. He sees, and is drawn to our hidden wounds, our deepest insecurities, our most profound regrets. He continually invites us to fix our eyes on Him. Only then do we realize we don’t need to prove ourselves. In Him, we are seen, loved, and accepted. That is a story worth replaying everyday!

This devotion is sent weekly to staff during school terms. It has been lightly edited for a general audience.