Some translations of Hebrews 12:2 say that Jesus endured the cross, "heedless of its shame" (NAB). Others render it as "despising its shame" (RNAB) or "disregarding the shamefulness of it" (JB). The Greek word means "to think against" or "to think down upon."
Jesus never operated out of "human respect" (see Lk 20:21; Jn 2:25). He gave no heed to the shame, ridicule, and calumny He endured in His Passion. He "disregarded the report" that a twelve-year-old girl was dead (Mk 5:36). He "thought against" a report that Herod wanted to kill Him (see Lk 13:31-33). Jesus "despised the shame" of the cross. His face was set like flint (Is 50:7), and He "firmly resolved to proceed toward Jerusalem" and the cross of Calvary (Lk 9:51).
Can you act heedless of the shame of human contempt? Can you "despise the shame" of condemnation — in public shaming amid social media comments, ridicule in the workplace, in public, etc. Can you even disregard human praise, preferring instead the glory of God? (see Jn 12:43)
Jesus "thought against" the shame of the cross. His crucifixion was actually His hour to be glorified (Jn 12:23). His thoughts were focused on the glory to be given to His Father (Jn 12:28). In the liturgy of Holy Thursday, the Entrance Antiphon proclaims: "We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." So give no heed to the shame of the cross. Instead, "look to [the crucified Christ] that you may be radiant with joy, and your faces may not blush with shame" (Ps 34:6). Lift high the cross!
PRAYER: | Father, give me "the mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:16). |
PROMISE: | "It is your faith that has cured you." –Mk 5:34 |
PRAISE: | George put a Scripture quote on his business cards. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College