UNASHAMED

Have you ever done something that you ashamed of? If we remember those time could make us laugh…..how could I made such embarrassing things.

Or if we remembered it now we still feel ashamed and we do not want to remember it at all. If there is a time machine we want to go in and turn back on that time and change we did things.

Let’s see what happened in Jesus life, some that we might have thought those were embarrassing or ashamed.

Luke 3:23-38

Jesus, assumed to be Joseph’s son, was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. Here are the names of Mary’s ancestors, from her father traced all the way back to Adam: 

Eli, Matthat, Levi, Melki, Janmai, Joseph, Mattahias……..Judah, ……..David, Jesse, Obed, Boaz, Salmon, Nashon…….

Do not be ashamed with your background, who were/are your parents, what they are occupation, what was your education, your job, what has happened in your life.

In the genealogy of Jesus from Mary to Adam they weren’t perfect, not each one of them were perfect and flawless. 

Still God didn’t fix those and changed Jesus should born through a perfect line. 

There was Judah who slept with his daughter in law that he taught was a prostitute by the road side and they both had a son.

You could say it, it’s kind of incest.

Also there was Boaz the son of Salmon and Rahab the prostitute who hid Israelite spies at Jericho.

And Obed the son of Boaz and Ruth the Moabite widow, daughter in law of Naomi. 

Jesus healed not only physically but also healed your shame.

Luke 5:27-32

Afterward, Jesus went out and looked for a man named Matthew. He found him sitting at his tax booth, for he was a tax collector. Jesus said to him, “Be my disciple and follow me.” That very moment, Matthew got up, left everything behind, and followed him. Matthew wanted to throw a banquet to honor Jesus. So he invited Jesus to his home for dinner, along with many of Levi’s fellow tax collectors and other guests. But the Jewish religious leaders and experts of the law complained to Jesus’ disciples, “Why would you defile yourself by eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners ? Doesn’t Jesus know it’s wrong to do that?” Jesus overheard their complaining and said, “ Who goes to the doctor for a cure? Those who are well or those who are sick? I have not come to call the ‘righteous,’ but to call those who know they are sinners and bring them to repentance.”

Luke 15:1-2

Many dishonest tax collectors and others notorious sinners often gathered around to listen as Jesus taught the people. This raised concerns among the Jewish religious leaders and experts of the law. Indignant, they grumbled and complained, saying, “Look at how this man associates with all these notorious sinners and welcomes them all to come to him!”

Luke 19:1-10

On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus had to pass through Jericho. There lived a very wealthy man named Zacchaeus, who supervised all the tax collectors. He was very eager to see Jesus and kept trying to get a look at him trough the massive crowd. Since Zacchaeus was a short man and couldn’t see over the heads of the people, he ran on ahead of everyone and climbed up a blossoming fig tree to get a glimpse of Jesus as he passed by. When Jesus got to that place, he looked up into the tree and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry on down, for I must stay at your house today!” So he scurried down the tree and found himself face-to-face with Jesus. As Jesus left to go with Zacchaeus, many in the crowd complained, “Look at this! Of all people to have dinner with, he’s going to eat in the house of a crook.” Zacchaeus was amazed over his gracious visit to his home and joyously welcomed Jesus. Zacchaeus stood in front of the Lord and said, “Half of all that I own I will give to the poor. And Lord, if I have cheated anyone, I promise to pay them back four times as much as I stole.” Jesus said to him, “Your repentance shows that today life has come to you and your household, and that you are a true son of Abraham. The Son of Man has come to seek out and to give life to those who are lost.”

On the tree scriptures above, Jesus made friends with tax collectors, sinners that people hated.

They were questioning, grumbling why Jesus came to these people home, had dinner with them, hang out with them. For this so called righteous people Jesus actioned was shameful, very embarrassing. 

I like the scripture wrote; Jesus went out and looked for a man named Matthew.

On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus had to pass through Jericho. Jesus stopped at the tree and he looked up into the tree where Zacchaeus was.

That’s amazing….Jesus purposely looking for these sinners.

Jesus didn’t ashamed to be around these people.

Do not be ashamed hanging out with people that others said sinners, law breaker, people who had been in the prison.

You are the light. Where there is light, darkness no more.

Jesus healed not only physically but also healed your shame.

John 4:4

Jesus had to pass through Samaritan territory. 

The Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. Avoiding the crowd, she has been married five times and the man with her now not even her husband.

In that time, in their culture, no woman/ wife can divorce their husband. So she must been divorced by her husband again and again and the last man not even want to marry her. She must be felt with shame and rejection, unworthy. 

No one wanted to be her friend, she was by herself at the well.

But Jesus not ashamed associated with a divorce person. He had to pass through Samaritan territory.

Maybe you’re divorced, whatever the reason was. 

Jesus not ashamed with you. He will come to love you, healed you and give you back your identity and dignity.

This Samaritan woman has no name. Tradition said her name was Photini. She then became the first woman evangelist, she went beyond Samaria to bring good news and died as a martyr.

Jesus healed not only physically but also healed your shame.

Luke 15:11-32

Then Jesus said, “Once there was a father with two sons. The younger son came to his father and said, ‘Father, don’t you think it’s time to give me my share of your estate?’ So the father went ahead and distributed between the two sons their inheritance. Shortly afterward, the younger son packed up all his belongings and traveled off to see the world. He journeyed to a far-off land where he soon wasted all he was given in a binge extravagant and reckless living. “With everything spent and nothing left, he grew hungry, because there was a severe famine in that land. So he begged a farmer in that country to hire him. The farmer hired him and sent him out to feed the pigs. The son was so famished, he was willing even to eat the slop given to the pigs, because no one would feed him a thing. “ Humiliated, the son finally realized what was he was doing, and he thought, ‘There are many workers at my father’s house who have all the food they want with plenty to spare. They lack nothing. Why am I here dying of hunger, feeding these pigs and eating their slop? I want to go back home to my father’s house, and I’ll say to him, “Father, I was wrong. I have sinned against you. I’ll never again be worthy to be called your son. Please, Father, just treat me like one of your employees.” “So the young son set off for home. From a long distance away, his father saw him coming, dressed as a beggar, and great compassion swelled up his heart for his son who was returning home. The father raced out to meet him, swept him up in his arms, hugged him dearly, and kissed him over and over with tender love. “Then the son said, Father, I was wrong. I have sinned against you. I could never deserve to be called your son. Just let me be—‘ “The father interrupted and said, ‘Son, you’re home now!” “Turning to his servants, the father said, ‘Quick, bring me the best robe, my very own robe, and I will place it on his shoulders. Bring the ring, the seal of sonship, and I will put it on his finger. And bring out the best shoes you can find for my son. Let’s prepare a great feast and celebrate. For my beloved son was once dead, but now he’s alive! Once he was lost, but now he is found! And everyone celebrated with overflowing joy. 

“Now the older son was out working in the field when his brother returned, and as he approached the house, he heard the music of celebration and dancing. He called over one of the servants and asked, ‘What’s going on? “The servant replied, ‘It’s your younger brother. He’s returned home and your father is throwing a party to celebrate his homecoming.’ “The older son became angry and refused to go in and celebrate. So his father came out and pleaded with him, ‘Come and enjoy the feast with us!’ “The son said, Father, listen! How many years have I worked like a slave for you, performing every duty you’ve asked as a faithful son? And I’ve never once disobeyed you. But you’ve never thrown a party for me because of my faithfulness. Never once have you even given a goat that I could feast on and celebrate with my friends as this son of yours is doing now. Look at him! He comes back after wasting your wealth on prostitute and reckless living, and here you are throwing a great feast to celebrate—for him! “The father said, ‘My son, you are always with me by my side. Everything I have is yours to enjoy. It’s only right to rejoice and celebrate like this, because your brother was once dead and gone, but now he is alive and back with us again. He was lost, but now he is found!”

In this scripture mentioned that the younger son wasted the inheritance with extravagant and reckless living.

The older son said that his brother wasted the father’s wealth on prostitute and reckless living.

The word reckless written twice. The younger son lived as he wished, he did whatever he wanted, used the money as his heart desires.

Maybe you ever did the same thing in your life. Live recklessly, don’t care about what people think or said. You just did everything to satisfy yourself, craving of self. So you feeling ashamed now.

Maybe you’re ashamed that in the past in away to survive you prostitute yourself. You did all kind of crazy and not appropriate things so you can have food on your table. And you ashamed.

The younger son also ashamed of what he did BUT when he realized and regretted it. He made his way back home to his father. 

His father didn’t even ashamed, no sign he was ashamed of his son. He hugged and kissed him over and over again. 

No question asked only acceptance.

‘Quick, bring me the best robe, my very own robe, and I will place it on his shoulders. Bring the ring, the seal of sonship, and I will put it on his finger. And bring out the best shoes you can find for my son. Let’s prepare a great feast and celebrate. For my beloved son was once dead, but now he’s alive! Once he was lost, but now he is found! And everyone celebrated with overflowing joy. 

Actually everyone should celebrate with overflowing joy when we returned to our Heavenly Father BUT the reality not all, some even curse, mock, despise…..hugh…..see look at him. They make us more ashamed.

Jesus healed not only physically but also healed your shame.

Luke 9:57-62

On their way, someone came up to Jesus and said, “I want to follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Yes, but remember this: even animals in the field have holes in the ground to sleep in, and birds have their nests, but the Son of Man no place to lay down his head.” Jesus then turned to another and said, “Come be my disciple.” He replied, “Someday I will, Lord, but allow me first to fulfill my duty as a good son and wait until my father passes away.” Jesus told him, “Don’t wait for your father’s burial. Let those who already dead wait for death. As for you, go and proclaim everywhere that God’s kingdom has arrived.” Still another said to him, “Lord, I want to follow you too. But first let me go home and say goodbye to my entire family.” Jesus responded, “WHY DO YOU KEEP LOOKING BACK TO YOUR PAST AND HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT FOLLOWING ME?  If you turn back you are not fit for God’s kingdom.”

Look forward…..the Red Sea is in front of you. Move forward…..the Red Sea is going to split, your miracle is going to happen. Cross it. 

Your mockers is drowning in the same sea.

There are women in the book of General of God.

Kathryn Kulhman, Aimee E Semple McPherson, Maria B Woodworth Etter.

They were a great evangelist and preacher. Many wonder, miracles, healings that happened through their ministry. The presence of God so real, tangible.

The three of them gone through divorced in their marriage.

Not easy but they move forward despite of their challenges and what people at their times have negative opinions.

To be a woman preacher itself wasn’t easy those times and plus divorced women.

God didn’t ashamed of their divorced. Abba Father looked inside their heart and called them, anointed them, used them to carry His presence and Glory through signs and wonders.

Jesus healed not only physically but also healed your shame.

Why I keep saying Jesus healed not only physically but also healed your shame.

Jesus died on the cross not only for us but as us.

Isaiah 53:1-9

Who has truly believed our revelation?

To whom will Yahweh reveal his mighty arm?

He sprouted up like a tender plant before the Lord, 

like a root in parched soil.

He possessed no distinguishing beauty 

or outward splendor to catch our attention—

nothing special in his appearance to make us desire him.

( If you’re think you’re not beautiful or handsome, you don’t like what you see on the mirror. You’re ashamed of your face. Jesus took that shame on the cross. )

He was despised and rejected by men,

( If you’re despised and rejected by men, Jesus died as you and took that on the cross. )

a man of deep sorrows

who was no stranger to suffering and grief.

( All your deep sorrows, suffering and grief Jesus took on the cross too. )

We hid our faces from him in disgust 

and considered him nobody, not worthy of respect.

( If people don’t look at you, you’re not important for them. If you walk into a room, no one notice, you’re nobody. Maybe your family told you you’re not worthy. Your husband, your wife, your children not respecting you. Jesus also already took those on the cross when He hang and died there. )

Yet he was the one who carried our sickness 

( Our pain, sickness and infirmities Jesus bored all on the cross. )

and endured the torment of our sufferings.

( If you’re tormented by demonic forces, if you’re tormented by your way of thinking and the world. Jesus redeemed that also. They gave him crown of thorns which He bleed to set you free. )

We viewed him as one who was being punished 

for something he himself had done,

( If life is unfair for you. If you get treated or punished of something you don’t deserve. Jesus gone through that too. )

as one who struck down by God and brought low.

( If you’re in your lowest moment, Jesus were there too. )

But it was because of our rebellious deeds that he was pierced 

and because of our sins that he was crushed.

( Our rebellious deeds, each of our sins Jesus took it all without choosing. )

He endured the punishment that made us completely whole,

and in his wounding we found our healing.

( Jesus healed not only physically but also healed your mental, emotionally. )

Like wayward sheep, we have all wandered astray.

Each of us has turned from God’s path and chosen our own way, 

even so, Yahweh laid the guilt of our every sin upon him.

( Yeah, one time in our life we just do whatever we want to do, whenever we like it. Our reckless life. Jesus carried all on the cross. )

He was oppressed and harshly mistreated; 

still he humbly submitted, refusing to defend himself.

He was brought like a gentle lamb to be slaughtered.

Like a silent sheep before his shearers,

he didn’t even open his mouth. 

( If you’re harshly mistreated and not able to defend yourself. Jesus already carried that on the cross for you. )

By coercion and with perversion of justice 

he was taken away.

( Injustice in your life, Jesus gone through that too. )

And who could have imagined his future?

He was cut down in the prime of life,

for the rebellion of his own people, 

he was struck down in their place.

{ A different translation written: For he was cut off from the land of the living. }

( If you given up hope, future is dark and blurry. If you feel die is a better choice. Jesus was there on the cross for you. )

They gave him a grave among criminals,

but he ended up instead in a rich man’s tomb,

although he had done no violence nor spoken deceitfully.

( if you were once a criminal, Jesus died for your crime as well and give you a great future. If you are being charged wrongly. You are honest. Jesus died for that too my friend. )

There is one more thing that Jesus took on the cross.

John 19: 23-24 

Now when the soldiers crucified Jesus, they divided up his clothes into four shares, one for each of them. But his tunic was seamless, woven from the top to the bottom as a single garment. So the soldiers said to each other, “Don’t tear it—let’s throw dice to see who’s gets it!” The soldiers did all of this not knowing they fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among them and gambled for my clothing.”

Usually in the modern way to depict the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus is wearing a loin cloth. This is for our sake, for our benefit as modern people. 

But historically, crucifixion victims weren’t wearing anything at all. They totally nude, naked. So was Jesus. He was hang there stripped completely naked.

In the Hebrew culture they’re modest people ( in our modern culture, it’s more common to see nudity in social media and internet) but they weren’t. 

Therefore, can you imagine, how this more humiliating for Jesus.

Jesus carried all shameful things had happened in your life on the cross.

I divorced and this was ashamed. 

Golgotha was probably a busy intersection chosen to hang criminals on the cross. So people won’t do similar crimes when they looked at them.

Maybe in modern day it’s like hang on the cross in the middle of CBD or at the main square or in the prominent place in the city.

Everyone who passes by from every direction will surely see.

It’s so humiliating.

Me too, people heard and knew, people talked about it. 

They were two criminals being crucified next to Jesus, one insulted him

( Matthew 27:44 ).

Luke 23:35 writes, The religious leaders sneered at Jesus and mocked him saying, “Look at this man! What kind of chosen Messiah is this? He pretended to save others, but he can’t even save himself.”

Me experienced the same, people look down on me, they don’t believe me. How could a Christian divorced?

Matthew 26:56 records that; At that point all of his disciples ran away and abandoned him.

Matthew 26:15 Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty silver coins.

Luke 22:54-60 Peter denied Christ three times in a row.

In verse 61 Jesus was there when Peter denied him. Jesus turned around and gazed at Peter.

Many of us have experienced rejection or betrayal from our family and friends. Very painful experience. Jesus too experienced this abandonment at the moment when He needed support, comfort and companionship the most.

Me too, some so called good friends left, ministry been cut off, it’s not worthy, not appropriate, not acceptable a divorce woman stand behind the pulpit.

A shame of divorce cause me to hide from people. The first time I went to my church now, I sat in the place people won’t notice me. After the service I left fast. Why? I didn’t want meet people who might know me. I didn’t want to answer their questions and curiosity. I bow my head to hid my face.

The on the second Sunday, suddenly my head held high. It must be God.

I felt peace, no fear if people know me.

Everyday at home I’m declaring: 

Leviticus 26:13 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.

Psalms 3:3 But in the depths of my heart I truly know that you, Yahwe have become my shield. You take me and surround me with yourself. Your glory covers me continually. YOU LIFT HIGH MY HEAD WHEN I BOW LOW IN SHAME. I have cried out to you, Yahwe from your holy presence, YOU SEND ME A FATHER’S HELP.

If you divorced,  single parent/ mom/dad. And whatever shameful things you did. Yes it was a shame thing but Jesus took/carried our shameful act no matter what. Shame make you to hide from family, community, church…you want isolated yourself ( like Adam and Eve). The cross is the finished work. You are now is not you were then ( years ago ).

Kathryn Kulhman said after repentance….is people asking are you a divorce woman. She said oooo no that’s not me. That Kathryn died with Jesus on the cross. You are divorced once….not the rest of your life or now. It had happened and now no more. The same of your past life, it was before not now. 

Whatever things need to be settled before God, settled it and repent. People maybe not forgive BUT God forgave you not today BUT when He died on the cross 2000 years ago. Yes give time to grief, after sometimes move forward run to you Abba Father. He will hugs and kiss you, give you back your identity, dignity. Then walk forward in your life hand in hand with Jesus. 

Move forward because of His love for you. Embrace Jesus, live for Him. 

Create a new history with Jesus. You are His beloved daughter.