Saving Face – Part 3 – The Way of The King

Understanding Honor and Shame in Scripture

In this teaching, Matthew Vander Els from Founded in Truth Fellowship concludes a series on honor and shame, emphasizing their crucial role in understanding the culture in which the Scriptures were written, particularly in the first century. He contrasts this with the individualistic mindset prevalent in Western cultures today, where actions are often perceived as primarily affecting the individual. In contrast, Eastern cultures, and specifically the honor-shame culture of the biblical world, operate on the principle that every action taken by an individual impacts their entire community and people.

The speaker explains that in the first century, a person’s reputation, or “face,” served as their social credit score. Individuals were either esteemed due to inherited or achieved honor, or they were ostracized because of committed shame. Shame, in this context, refers to actions like sinning; for example, being a tax collector was considered a shameful occupation that brought dishonor to the entire community, leading to exclusion. This contrasts sharply with modern perspectives where such professions are commonplace.

The teaching revisits the concept of the honor game played when Yeshua was challenged by religious authorities, highlighting that their challenges were attempts to diminish his honor, while his responses served to maintain his honor and shame them. A revolutionary aspect of Yeshua’s teaching was the idea of not seeking personal honor and glory before men, which was a direct contradiction to the cultural norm of building one’s reputation. Yeshua even taught to turn the other cheek when faced with a slap, a cultural challenge to one’s honor. The speaker uses the analogy of quitting a game of Monopoly to illustrate Yeshua’s teaching that life is not about pursuing worldly glory.

The Significance of Shame and Honor in Yeshua’s Sacrifice

The curse of the law, as mentioned in Galatians, is the curse of a man hung on a tree. This form of execution was deeply shameful, stripping the individual of their identity. The speaker references the hanging of Saul’s body by the Philistines as an example of defaming his legacy as king through a shameful display. This understanding of shame is crucial for comprehending the sacrifice of Yeshua, who endured a deeply shameful death on the cross.

The resurrection of Yeshua is presented as a pivotal event that transformed shame into honor. Scripture declares him the Son of God at the resurrection, a title synonymous with king and signifying an honorable position with God’s authority. Yeshua’s death on a stake was a shameful one, but his resurrection signifies his restored honor and the defeat of shame.

The Kingdom of God: An Honor-Shame Culture

The teaching emphasizes that followers of Yeshua will be shamed by the world because the world will no longer love them. However, the shame inherited from Adam was nailed to the cross, and through the resurrection, believers receive Yeshua’s honor. This establishes a new community, the body of Messiah, where believers are brothers and sisters who should esteem others higher than themselves, engaging in a kind of “honor game” where the goal is to outdo one another in showing honor.

The speaker uses a story of a royal invitation to illustrate the graciousness of God in inviting individuals into His kingdom. Accepting this invitation requires adhering to the protocol of the kingdom, symbolized by the garments provided by the king. Disregarding this protocol by refusing to wear the garments and participate in the king’s feast is presented as a peculiar act of ingratitude.

Grace, Gratitude, and Honoring the King

The concept of grace in the first century is explained not merely as free gifts, but as a patron-client relationship. A patron provides something that cannot be repaid, making the recipient a client obligated to show gratitude and honor. Paul’s emphasis on ingratitude as a grave sin is linked to this understanding – failing to honor and thank the patron for their gift. Accepting God’s invitation into His kingdom signifies accepting Him as the ultimate patron, requiring gratitude expressed through adherence to His protocols.

The speaker draws a parallel to a tradition in Spain where the people supposedly adopted a lisp to honor their king who had one, highlighting the extent to which one might go to show respect to a beloved ruler. Similarly, believers should willingly follow the protocols of their King, Yeshua.

The Weightier Matters of the Kingdom: Justice and Righteousness

The teaching delves into Isaiah 58 to reveal God’s priorities, emphasizing that true fasting and worship involve justice and righteousness, not merely outward displays of piety. Oppressing workers, quarreling, and division within the community contradict the very essence of God’s kingdom. The speaker stresses that believers should be united, especially in the face of external threats.

Justice and righteousness are described as the foundation of God’s throne. Drawing from Matthew 23:23, the speaker highlights that while tithing is important, neglecting justice, mercy, and faith is a more significant failure. In the ancient Near East, new kings often demonstrated their justice and righteousness by freeing captives, canceling debts, and caring for the poor and vulnerable. David’s reign is cited as an example of administering both justice and righteousness.

Application for Everyday Life

• Prioritize the honor of God and the community of believers over personal honor. Be mindful of how your actions reflect on your faith and fellow believers.
• Practice gratitude for God’s grace. Recognize the patron-client relationship and actively show gratitude through obedience and service.
• Adhere to the protocols of God’s kingdom. This includes keeping His commandments such as observing the Sabbath, following dietary laws (kosher eating), and celebrating the appointed feasts.
• Embrace justice and righteousness in your daily life. Stand up for the oppressed, care for the poor, and act with fairness and integrity in all your dealings.
• Show compassion and forgiveness towards those who have brought shame upon themselves and the community. Follow the example of the father in the parable of the prodigal son.
• Maintain unity within the body of believers. Avoid division and strive to love and support one another as brothers and sisters in the King’s army.
• Be mindful of your role as an emissary of the King. Let your words and actions reflect His character and His kingdom to the world.
• Value heavenly honor over earthly acclaim. Recognize that true and lasting honor comes from God through following Yeshua.
• Actively share the invitation to the King’s kingdom with others. Embrace the responsibility of an ambassador and invite others to experience God’s grace and honor.

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References

Bible Verses

• Galatians 3:29
• Matthew 22:1-14
• Luke 15:11
• Isaiah 58:1

Books and Resources

• Saving Face series by Founded in Truth Fellowship
• Teachings by Rico Cortez at Wisdom in Torah