Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.”And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” Hebrews 2:11-13
Dear Lord Jesus, I’ve thought, said and done a lot of things about which I am truly ashamed. I’ve been painfully shamed and I’ve inexcusably shamed people I dearly love. Shame is a pillaging thief, one which robs us of dignity, freedom and joy. So when I hear you say you’ve not ashamed of us—that you’re not ashamed to call me your brother, it humbles and gladdens me like nothing else.
Indeed, Jesus, you’re the only one who can break the binding power of our shame because you have completely broken the condemning power of our guilt. How we praise you for doing everything necessary to deal with the ways we’ve been both agents and victims of sin—sin which has led to multiple layers of shame.
We freely cry, “Abba, Father,” because you first cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1). You took all the guilt and all the shame of our sin on the cross. I really do believe this… I really want to experience it more fully.
Because God has placed us in you, we are now “of the same family.” What more could we possibly want in this life and the life to come? And you’re the only one who can make us holy, for you are our wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, our holiness and our redemption (1 Cor. 1:30). What peace… what transcendent and everlasting peace this brings to our hearts.
Jesus, now you constantly sing to us of the Father’s love—you declare his praises to our hearts every time we hear the gospel… every time we gather with our brothers and sisters to worship the Triune God… every time we take the bread and cup of holy communion… every time we read the Scriptures… every time we listen to your voice in creation proclaiming the majesty and mercy of God.
Jesus, you’re not ashamed of us… you’re not ashamed of me. This is the theology I passionately defend. Make it the doxology in which I fully delight. So very Amen, I pray, in your most holy and compassionate name.
