When Love Takes the Shame
Lessons from Outside the City Gates
12 So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood.
13 So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore.
— Hebrews 13:12-13
Have you ever taken on someone else's disgrace or punishment? I remember being a kid and being punished for something my sister did. The feeling of injustice was palpable. My little spirit could hardly stand it. I wanted justice! The idea of taking on someone's shame or punishment goes against every instinct of self-preservation that we have. Our instinct is to defend ourselves, to get as far away from the situation as possible.
That's why Jesus doing what He did, makes Him so much Greater Than anyone else. The verses from Hebrews 13 at the top of the page describe Jesus taking on both our shame and our punishment. When love takes on our shame, we can be free from it. These verses may not make a lot of sense to you in the culture in which we live, so I'll give you a little cultural and historical background.
When God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, safety was in the camp. God's presence was in the middle of the camp. The area inside the camp was considered clean and sacred. Things that were considered "unclean" or defiled were taken outside the camp. Outside the camp was considered unclean, ordinary, and spiritually defiled. People who had communicable diseases had to stay outside the camp. Criminals had to stay outside. Some of the sacrifices that represented sin were taken outside the camp and disposed of.
That's why, when Jesus was sacrificed for our sins, He was taken outside the city (or camp). Just like sin offerings under the old Jewish law were burned outside the camp, Jesus was crucified outside of Jerusalem. He was carrying our sins. He suffered a rejected, sinful, criminal's death outside the religious and social center.
God is always moving toward us. Jesus came to us, to save us. Jesus suffered outside of the city to meet humanity in our brokenness and sin and to make us right with God again.
It reminds me of the story of the prodigal son. We Westerners have given this parable of Jesus that name. But it has an older, and much more meaningful name. The parable of the Running Father. The idea of a dignified, wealthy man running in the time of Jesus was unheard of. It was seen as undignified and humiliating. It just would not have been done. But in this story the father is waiting every day to see if his son will return to him.
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. --Luke 15:20
Grown men in Jesus' day didn't run. Doing so required hiking up their long robes, which was considered shameful and unseemly. This father didn't care. He was so happy to have his son back that in his joy, he happily bore the scorn, indignity and gossip of his neighbors. He absorbed all the indignity and drew the attention away from the shame of his son onto himself.
We are invited to do this for Jesus as well. If we are true followers of Jesus, there will come a time when we will endure scorn and shame for Him. It helps to know that Jesus has already endured the things we might have to endure, and He did it for us.
One more thing that came to mind about going outside the camp or out to meet someone is related to Jesus' second coming.
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. -- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
We will go out to meet Jesus when He comes again. This time there will be no shame, only joy! We will finally be reunited with our Savior and the love of our lives!
I remember when I was a little girl and my grandparents would come to visit from three states away. I was so excited! I would watch at the window obsessively all day. And what happened when I finally saw their little gray car pulling in? I would run out to meet them full of joy and excitement to see my grandparents who I knew loved me deeply. I can't wait to experience those same things with Jesus!
If you are interested in learning more, check out my new Bible study on the book of Hebrews, Greater Than.
Reflect
• Have you ever had to endure shame or scorn because of your belief in Jesus? How did it feel? What comforted you through that experience?
• Have you ever waited to see someone full of excitement and joy? How do you think that compares with finally seeing Jesus face to face?
Prayer: Lord, thank You for taking on my sin and shame outside the camp. Help me to be willing to suffer for you in the same way. Give me courage. Help me to remember that You have been through it already and You will never leave me. I am never alone. When I have walked away from You, remind me that You are there waiting to take me back even before I ask. Fill me with joy and anticipation to see You when You come back.
I'd love to hear your thoughts! Which of these reflection questions stands out to you the most? Share your experience in the comments below.
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