People Jesus Notice — The Ashamed

Perhaps one of the heaviest emotions that falls upon our hearts, shame has a profound ability to persuade us to hide rather than act. While shame is healthy (Jer 6:15), it is not a feeling God hardwired to cause us to run from Him, though many do; rather, it is a feeling God hardwired to cause us to run to Him. David will wonderfully illustrate that point as it relates to his sin committed with Bathsheba (contexts to consider include 2 Samuel 11, Psalm 51, Psalm 32 - in that order, sin/shame → repentance → restoration). Too often, though, our shame leads us to hide — even the firsts of mankind thought this way (Gen 3:8-10).

Perhaps the most wonderful thing about Jesus is that He is the full, fleshed expression of the mind of God. Through the life and ministry of Jesus, we are taught more perfectly of God (Him fully) and His perspective toward a number of issues, one being mankind and their shame. A context that speaks volumes to this, God’s disposition toward our sin and shame, is John 8. John 8:1-11 is the story of a woman caught in adultery.

The story begins early in the morning, as Jesus teaches a crowd on the temple grounds. The Pharisees bring a woman before Him. The charge, adultery. The woman, stripped of dignity. Her sin, public and proclaimed. Her accusers, standing ready to cast the stones. Their desire, test Jesus - would He follow Moses to the letter? The Law did provide stoning as the exercise of justice for adultery (Lev 20:10; Deut 22:22, 24), yet neither Jesus nor the accusers cast a single stone. Why? Perhaps the Law’s permission was preceded by a refusal to repent? Perhaps the charges were bogus? Exactly why remains unclear, but we know that Jesus saw the situation differently.

Jesus called into question their sins, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” (Jn 8:7) Jesus saw her differently. She expected stones, whether that was for her adultery or because of the accusation; she expected to die. Yet, Jesus saw her differently. He spoke, yes, authoritatively (“Go and sin no more”), but also compassionately (“Neither do I condemn you.”

Many people today are like that woman, ashamed. Many people today are carrying the weight of guilt and simply wondering, “What would God think of me?” Will He ignore your sins? No. Will He forgive your sins? Yes. Why? Jesus cares for us all … and we all have guilt, guilt that He will remove (Rom 3:23-24).