Re:Verse reading–Mark 8:27-38 (day three)
“The Son of Man will be ashamed…” Shame seems to have become little known in our current society. How quaint a notion it is. Surely we’re more authentic, honest, and accepting now, whereas our forebears denied their feelings, repressed their desires, and shunned those who violated arbitrary behavioral standards. Religious talk of shame such as this verse just seems to cement the perception of shame as a tool of the powerful to force the weak to tow the line. But it’s really all of us who detest weakness–that very avenue that Jesus said is the only way to strength and life. We’re so ashamed that the Savior would live a weakling’s life and die a weakling’s death that we attempt to reimagine God in our own heroic image. And the Lord says, “I never knew you.”
