The woman caught in adultery in John 8 experienced the shame of an outcast. Society refuses to accept an outcast and tosses them aside. Merriam-Webster defines shame as a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcomings, or impropriety.[1] Guilt results from knowing we have done something wrong, but shame tells us we are wrong. Social outcasts assume they are unworthy because that is what culture tells them repeatedly.
When shamed, we feel unworthy and struggle to accept forgiveness. Andrew Comiskey describes shame like this: “Shame is the raincoat of the soul, repelling the living water that would otherwise establish us as the beloved of God. It prevents us from receiving grace and truth where we need them most.”[2]
Shamed in the Temple
God had given His people the Temple so they could receive forgiveness through the sacrifices. It was to be a holy place for the people to worship God. Instead, the Jewish leaders brought the woman caught in adultery to the Temple to become a spectacle. She had disobeyed the law of Moses, and the leadership exhibited her before the crowds at the Temple. Not only was her sin publicly exposed, but most likely, she would have been almost naked. Amid this shameful experience, Jesus intervened, causing her accusers to leave. He then forgave her.
As we consider our story today, how can we experience hope when we face shame? God’s Word shows us how to respond positively when we are experiencing shame. It gives us hope! Everyone, including believers in Jesus, has made mistakes we regret. The enemy likes to make us believe that God will not forgive us and does not care. Those are lies by the enemy. No one loves you more than Jesus. Remember, Jesus loved you so much He took ALL of your sins on Himself on the cross. That is love in action!
What Can I Do in My Shame?
Confession and repentance are the beginning of countering shame. 1 John 1:9But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.[3] Confess whatever is making you feel shame, guilt, and regret. Let the Lord wash you! Even in the Old Testament, people knew that God forgave sins. Micah 7:19 Once again you (God) will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! [4]
Now we have the promise of Jesus and His forgiveness. Ephesians 1: 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes…. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.[5] When forgiven, Jesus frees us from the sins that have entangled us. This forgiveness rids the shame of an outcast and makes one whole. To find out more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/wholeness-for-the-outcast
[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shame Accessed on July 20, 2020
[2] Grace for Shame, Robert Walter, https://ongodstrail.kartra.com/portal/y0BzDEgnCbrK/post/31, accessed July 22, 2020.
[3-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.