Dr. Rolex Cailing

Shame was at the center of the crucifixion. The Romans chose this form of death precisely for
its public and humiliating quality — the ultimate instrument of dishonor. It is impossible to reflect
on what Christ accomplished on the cross without attending to this shame-and-honor dynamic
and what he did with it (Col 1:21–22; Heb 12:2–3; 13:12–13).

First, Jesus bore the shame of our sinfulness to communicate God’s costly love and
righteousness. He endured the shame of crucifixion, on behalf of sinners like us (Isa 49:7;
50:6–8; 52:2–3). Whether eating with the tax collectors or dying on the cross, Jesus was
shamed to restore honor and provide a new status to the shamed. Second, Jesus bore the
consequences of shame — rejection, isolation, death — in our place, so that we who are “in
Christ” will not face shame any more (Rom 10:11; 1 Pet 2:6–7). Likewise, Jesus gave up his
own status and honor to embrace and include the excluded and shamed. In other words, he
died for the shamed!

Moreover, Jesus defeated shame. By virtue of his atoning work, shame no longer has any
rightful power over people. Because Jesus disregarded the shame of the cross (Heb 12:2), the
lie of distorted honor systems was exposed and shame’s power to exclude was destroyed (Col
2:13–19). But shame did not have the last word. He was vindicated and honored! The
resurrection overflows with honor and glory (Heb 2:9). It is the crucified one who is greatly
honored — the honor of sitting at the right hand of the Father with the name above all names
(Phil 2:5–11). True, the cross mitigated potential shame, but it preserved God’s status by
demonstrating his faithfulness (Rom 3:3–7; 15:8). Jesus did not fall short of God’s glory.

Finally, the cross provides us a new identity — we are God’s children! As his beloved, we are
heirs, which highlights our honorable status (Rom 8:15–18; Gal 3:26–29). We receive Jesus’s
own glory and honor for ourselves (John 17:22; Heb 2:10). The crown of glory we inherit is
imperishable, undefiled, and unfading (1 Pet 1:4; 5:4). Jesus’ appearing will reveal our own
glory and honor (1 Pet 1:7). The New Testament weaves all these aspects of the atonement
into a single fabric of redemption. But tracing a few of the threads helps us see the full glory of
the cross. May we continue to stand in awe and honor God!