The Shame of the Cross - Mark 15:16–41 (Tim Johnson)

April 8, 2026·24 min·2 clips

Corrie Ten Boom realizes Jesus was crucified naked, connecting her humiliation to his.

The episode begins by asking listeners to reflect on personal experiences of shame, introducing it as a deeper issue than guilt. Tim Johnson references Brené Brown's definition of shame as feeling unworthy of love. He sets up the crucifixion as a public shaming event, noting that crucifixion in ancient times was designed to humiliate. The reading from Mark 15:16–20 describes soldiers mocking Jesus with a purple robe and crown of thorns, spitting on him to treat him as worthless. Johnson emphasizes the power of numbers in shaming, with up to 500 soldiers involved. The narrative continues with Jesus being led to Golgotha, too weak to carry his cross, so Simon of Cyrene is forced to help. Jesus refuses wine mixed with myrrh, facing execution with a clear mind. Mark's account briefly states 'they crucified him,' focusing on shame over physical pain. Johnson highlights that victims were crucified naked, part of the humiliation, and contrasts artistic depictions with likely reality. He shares Corrie Ten Boom's story from Ravensbrück concentration camp, where she realized Jesus was crucified naked, thanking him for enduring shame. The episode notes that passersby, religious leaders, and even fellow crucified men mocked Jesus, reinforcing the shame. Hebrews 12 is cited to encourage considering Jesus in times of weariness or shame. Johnson explains that Jesus willingly endured shame, as prophesied in Isaiah 50, trusting God for vindication. He distinguishes between false shame from abuse and true shame from personal failings, using a metaphor of a movie exposing hidden actions. The cross is presented as an exchange where Jesus takes shame to give believers cleansing, forgiveness, and honor. It concludes by affirming that the shame of the cross leads to eternal praise for Jesus as the worthy Lamb.

As heard by us

A careful sermon on shame, humiliation, and the cross.

This sermon keeps the shame of the cross at the center and treats shame as deeper than guilt, both personal and public. It moves from definition to the crucifixion scene, where Jesus is shown stripped, mocked, and shamed in public, and the Corrie Ten Boom story makes the point…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a calm, text-first look at how the cross answers shame.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Ridley Chapel