Jesus Is Not Ashamed to Call us Brothers and Sisters

Church Family:
I have taken a quick trip to Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania to lead a wedding ceremony for a couple in our church, Aaron and Geneva Woods. God willing, I will return Saturday night for worship with you Sunday. Brett Rayl, our missionary in Japan, will be with us Sunday bringing us a message from God's Word. I have asked him to send us a peek into Sunday's sermon. Brett writes:

Friends of Grace Community Church Topsail: There is a Japanese proverb that translates something like, “When you are traveling, you leave your shame behind you.” It means that when the Japanese people travel, no one knows them, so they don’t have to be embarrassed by their actions as they normally would in their everyday community. It’s probably why 旅行 (travel) is such a popular hobby for Japanese. And being from Myrtle Beach, it immediately makes sense; I’ve seen countless tourists leave their shame at home.

But this proverb has more to say about Japanese culture than how tourists act when they travel. My first response when I heard, “When you are traveling, you leave your shame behind you…” was, “Well, unless you are traveling to Japan.” Because Japan is a place where shame reigns. And for Westerners, living in Japan can be a cram school for shame.

In several ways I have learned about shame living in Japan. What I mean by that is not that I never experienced shame in America (reflecting on just one day of Middle School eliminates that wishful thought). But rather, in Japan, I’ve come to more fully understand shame and all of my own shameful experiences. I became a student in the school of shame.

In Japan, shame is a way of life. People are not as often plagued with personal guilt as Westerners may be, but shame permeates everything. Japanese culture is extremely collective which means a hyper-awareness that any decision you make (especially the mistakes) will impact everyone else around you, either for their peace or dismay. Everyone is always watching…waiting… Nothing is more important than relationships and community. But community is the breeding ground for shame — AND the bullying, depression, and even suicide. Thus, life becomes a crucible of bringing honor to your community by the sweat of your brow without failing, because failure brings shame not only on you but also on the community.

While shame may be easier to see in Japan, it is just as present in America. Shame haunts us in our circles of community. What if I’m not good enough? Smart enough? Hard working enough? Beautiful enough? Strong enough? Will I be rejected? Will I lose my place? Will I let everyone down? And shame is not absent from Christian community. What if I’m not godly enough? What about my history? What about my failure? Theologically astute enough? Serving enough? Can I be accepted by others? Can I be accepted by God?

The gospel completely saves us from shame which flows from the Fall and presence of sin in the world. One of the most beautiful announcements of this is found in Hebrews 2:11, “For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brothers..." We will consider this more as we gather together on Sunday. - Brett Rayl

See you Sunday, without shame: Steve