March Devotion: "Covering For Shame”
And when they had crucified Him, they divided His garments among them by casting lots. (Matthew 27:35) Read John 19:23-24
Most of us know shame. Shame for something we’ve done long ago, something almost forgotten until a chance word reminds us, and we cringe. Shame for something that was done to us, that we know was not our fault, but we can’t shake the memory. Shame for something we can’t help and we can’t change, that maybe shouldn’t even be shameful at all, but it still causes that kind of pain.
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took His clothes away. Almost every painting and crucifix in the world shows Jesus wearing a loincloth, but that’s more a reflection of what we hope happened rather than what really did happen. The Romans normally crucified people naked. Shame was part of the punishment.
And this, too, Jesus bore for us. He came to be with us, within our pain and shame, to take it from us and onto Himself. He took our shame to give us His honor — His comfort — His glory. He died naked, in order to clothe us in His forgiving love.
There is no shame so deep that Jesus has not taken it upon Himself. And in exchange He gives us — Himself. Our Savior, our Lord, our healer. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). When God looks at us, He sees His beloved children — safe in Christ Jesus.
THE PRAYER: Thank You for covering my shame, Lord Jesus. Set my heart upon You to love You through everything I do. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
- What is something very minor that happened to you and caused you embarrassment?
- Have you ever comforted another person who felt shame? How did you do it?
- Christ has taken our shame and given us His own dignity and freedom. In God’s eyes (the only eyes that matter) you are His beloved child. Describe your thoughts and feelings about this.