Read Matthew 28:1-15; Psalm 30

Every story needs conflict. In the best stories, the conflict increases the tension and complexity, causing a reader to wonder how any happy resolution could be possible. Often, when all hope is lost, something amazing happens.

For the next nine days, we’ll study biblical examples of how God heals us from shame, and we’ll begin with the greatest example of all. Jesus’ story is packed with edge-of-your-seat conflict, superseded only by its out-of-this-world ending. The depths of suffering that He experienced on the cross provide a fitting contrast for the glorious ending God has for Him.

God allowed Jesus’ enemies to succeed in their evil plan—for a time. But in the end, God was victorious. He not only raised Jesus’ body from death, He also took care to restore Jesus’ wounded honor. The crowd, soldiers, and religious leaders mocked Jesus on the cross—but when Sunday dawned it was a different story! Now the Roman soldiers were the victims of terror, and the religious leaders’ lack of integrity was exposed.

Matthew supplies us with the external details of the story but perhaps Psalm 30 provides some insight into how Jesus felt after he arose. In this psalm, David praises God for rescuing him from the threat of death and compares his experience to someone who has been drawn out of a deep pit. For a time, David’s circumstances made it seem as if God’s face was hidden, but God’s mercy turned his mourning into dancing.

Jesus had staked His honor and His life on the Father’s love (favor) for Him. For a time, it seemed God turned His face away, but in the end God proved His faithfulness. “You turned my wailing ”into dancing; you removed my sackcloth” and clothed me with joy” (Ps. 30:11).

APPLY THE WORD

Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we too can have healing from shame in our lives. He bore both our sin and our shame on the cross. As you bring Him the things that cause you shame, His resurrection power can raise you up too. You can have hope in God’s faithfulness that your story is not yet finished.

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