WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
“For He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, ‘I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.’”
Hebrews 2:11-12 ESV
JESUS WANTS TO HELP US BY TAKING OUR SHAME
Two brothers were left alone in the kitchen. The older brother pulled the egg carton out of the refrigerator. He pulled the eggs out of the refrigerator and told his little brother, “I’ll give you five dollars if you let me break three of these eggs over your head.” The little brother said, “You promise?” And the older brother said, “I promise.”
Then he pulled out an egg and broke it over his brother’s head. It oozed down through his hair and ran down his face. Then he pulled out the second egg and broke it over his brother’s head. This one was really messy. It went all the way down the back of his neck and inside his shirt collar. After the second one, the little brother really braced himself. He knew the third egg was going to be really nasty. And he waited. And waited. He waited but the third egg never did come. Finally, he spoke up. “Hey, when’s the third egg coming?” Finally, the older boy told him, “It’s not—if I broke that one over your head, it would cost me five dollars.”
The bible teaches that God is our Heavenly Father once we become followers of Jesus. That in a sense makes us spiritual brothers and sisters of Jesus. And because of Jesus’ death in our place on the cross He has sanctified us. The word “sanctify” means to set apart for a special purpose or to make holy. Jesus cleanses us from our sin and He is not ashamed to call us “brothers.”
Sin can make us feel a sense of shame. Jesus died to take that shame away. You may not feel worthy to be a part of God’s family, but Jesus has made you worthy. Is there a past sin or season of your life causing you to live with a sense of shame? Confess to God your struggle with shame and ask Him to help you accept His forgiveness and grace.
