Genesis tells us that the first consequence of sin was not violence but embarrassment. “They knew that they were naked.” From that moment on, humanity has been sewing fig leaves: curating our image, protecting our reputation, avoiding vulnerability. Embarrassment keeps us from God, from one another, and from the good we are called to do.
But in the wilderness and ultimately on the cross, Jesus refuses to protect his dignity. He does not grasp at power or spectacle. He empties himself. The Creator who once clothed humanity now hangs exposed, embracing humiliation for our sake. In Christ’s naked vulnerability, we see a God who will not let shame stand between himself and his people.
Freed by this self-giving love, Christians are no longer bound to image management. Following Jesus will feel awkward at times — confessing sin, forgiving enemies, speaking openly about faith, reaching across difference. Yet we can risk embarrassment because our dignity is secured in the One who was willing to be embarrassed for us.
