The phrase “despising the shame” in Hebrews 12:2 refers to Jesus enduring the shame and disgrace of the cross in order to accomplish God’s redemptive purposes. Here is the full verse:
“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
To properly understand this verse, we need to examine the context. The author of Hebrews has been encouraging believers to persevere through sufferings and trials, keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus as the supreme model of faith. Jesus is the “pioneer” or forerunner who blazed the trail of faith before us (Heb. 12:1-2).
The phrase “despising the shame” speaks specifically to Jesus’ willingness to endure the intense shame, disgrace, and ridicule of dying on a Roman cross. Crucifixion was one of the most horrific and humiliating forms of execution, reserved for slaves and criminals. For Jesus to allow himself to be crucified was incredibly countercultural and scandalous. As the Son of God, Jesus could have avoided the cross and all its shame. But he chose to face the cross willingly for the greater purpose of bringing salvation to humanity (Heb. 12:2).
Jesus despised or scorned the shame of the cross because he looked with faith beyond the immediate disgrace to the future joy and reward for accomplishing redemption. The author says Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before him” (Heb. 12:2). Jesus believed the results that would come from his sacrificial death – the reconciliation of sinners with God – was worth all the anguish he had to suffer (Isa 53:11). The joy set before Christ was the joy of fulfilling God’s redemptive plan and being seated at the Father’s right hand in victory and exaltation (Heb. 12:2).
So in summary, “despising the shame” means Jesus resolutely turned his face away from the disgrace of crucifixion in order to accomplish God’s salvific purposes. He disregarded public opinion to obey the Father’s will, believing that beyond the agony of the cross lay the joyous reward of reconciling sinners with God.
We see this same attitude demonstrated when Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem to die, despite knowing the rejection that awaited him there (Luke 9:51). And when Jesus prayed in Gethsemane for the Father to take the cup of suffering from him, he concluded: “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus despised the shame because he kept eternal perspectives, obeying God’s call in the face of intense opposition and pain.
The cross reveals Jesus’ utter willingness to be humiliated and degraded for others. He scorned human shame in order to take on divine shame – becoming sin for us (2 Cor 5:21) and bearing the Father’s wrath (Rom 3:25). Jesus’ shame is the necessary counterpart to his glory. The author makes this point in Hebrews 2:9 – “But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” The shame of the cross led to the glory of resurrection life and victory over death for all who believe.
In bearing the cross, Jesus displayed the greatest example of sacrificial love the world has ever seen. His shame made possible our adoption, redemption, and forgiveness (Gal 4:5, Eph 1:7, Col 1:14). As 1 Peter 2:24 declares, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
As followers of Jesus, we are called to have the same mindset – to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and join in Christ’s sufferings (Matt 16:24, Phil 3:10, 1 Pet 4:13). This does not necessarily mean we will experience the same level of persecution or shame as Jesus. But it does mean we follow his example of choosing obedience to God over the avoidance of human shame or suffering. Knowing that living for Christ often brings ridicule and dishonor in the eyes of the world, we can choose to scorn that shame, having faith that eternal glory far outweighs temporary disgrace. Our present trials are “preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Cor 4:17).
The example of Jesus despising the shame of the cross gives us courage to endure scorn or ridicule from the unbelieving world for following him. We can boldly bear reproach and even persecution for the name of Christ (Heb 13:13, 1 Pet 4:14). And we can joyfully identify with Jesus in his sufferings, knowing that we too will share abundantly in his glory (Rom 8:17). The cross transforms shame into glory for those whose faith is in Jesus.
In summary, when Hebrews 12:2 says Jesus “endured the cross, despising the shame”, it means he resolutely turned his face from the disgrace of crucifixion to accomplish God’s redemptive purposes. He scorned the world’s contempt by looking with faith to the joyful reward beyond the cross – the salvation of sinners. Jesus’ willingness to bear shame for us displays unparalleled sacrificial love. As his followers, we can likewise despise the shame of identifying with a crucified Savior, knowing that momentary dishonor on earth secures eternal honor in heaven. The cross that brings shame from the world, brings glory from God.