Have you ever wondered why when we are naked around others we feel embarrassed?
I get that there are those who act like they are not ashamed and parade themselves naked. The mere fact that they have the need to be exhibitionist is a golden clue to their performance-art needing validation of their existence.
The truth is, as we connect deeply to true spirituality, making ourselves cheaply naked is a sure sign of lack of respect for ourselves, and others by forcing our nakedness upon them, AND MOST SIGNIFICANTLY a deep disrespect for The Only Living God.
Genesis 3 vs 21 shows us something so beautifully intimate about God that we would be idiots to ignore the deep respect God shows us.
Because sin and death have entered the human experience, so too has shame and guilt. In the discomfort of being spiritually aware of their shame and guilt, Adam and Eve cover themselves with fig leaves, hiding their genitalia. But this performance-art act of covering their nudity is just an outward act that cannot hide their inward shame.
Jesus knows this, and prophetically, yet visually, AND practically makes them garments of animal skin BY HIS OWN HAND.
Think about this for a minute….
GOD MAKES CLOTHING TO COVER ADAM AND EVE.
Besides the practical application that leather is more durable than fig leaves, Jesus is already walking out His Salvation plan to break the curse released onto humanity because of sin by not only prophesying Himself as God in human flesh (Genesis 3 vs 15), but is showing Adam and Eve Himself as the garment of righteousness by which humanity can only be saved.
On top of this, the intimacy of Jesus making clothing for Adam and Eve is so profound because God is showing us that He Loves us so much that He doesn’t want us to be so consumed by shame.
WHY?
Psychology shows that when we don’t address our shame, shame becomes the weapon we use to sabotage ourselves, retaliate against others, and put on masks to be socially acceptable.
In turn, with repeated practice of shame avoidance we fall into the trap of IDENTITY DYSPHORIA- we become something in our imagination that seemingly numbs our dysphoria. However, avoidance and performance-art identity don’t solve the dysphoria. We, in fact, just deepen the level of rejection by ourselves by hiding, which as evidence shows increases suicidation, depression, anger, and dysfunctional behaviour.
The INCREDIBLE moment of Jesus giving Adam and Eve their new garments shows us that Jesus isn’t intimidated by our shame. Rather, He sees it for what it is, AND has practical solutions to move us from shame-ridden to shame-forgiven.
We don’t need to invent a fashion parade to label our shame in brands, culture, or tribally indoctrinated identity. Worse yet, make our skin and act of shame as if it were a fig leaf.
Shame has a purpose- it alerts us to our thinking, speaking, and acting that removes itself from God.
Have you noticed that when you do something you feel ashamed about you try hide it?
Guess what?
You just proved Bible Accuracy about the origin of human dysfunctional behaviour, and that you recognise your guilt.
THE GOOD NEWS IS…..
I have a friend, actually He is The Saviour, and still to this very day, since the first time He handmade clothing, He Remains in the Clothing Business, exchanging naked-shame for garments of Righteousness by covering us with Himself- The Lamb of God, God in flesh, crucified, resurrected, and ascended.
His name is Jesus Christ, Lord of lords, King of Kings.
The amazing thing is that when He clothes us, He also changes us from the inside out to become people who respect ourselves, others, and God.
JESUS LOVES YOU.
#Hayibo 