The Psychology of Jesus

Part 7, Despising Shame

In the last post we described Jesus non-anxiousness in relation to material scarcity and even loss of life. But Jesus is also noteworthy in his indifference to pursuing self-esteem in relation to some sort of hero game. Jesus is free from both basic and neurotic anxiety.

Again, this seems to be due to Jesus' eccentric, baptismal identity. Knowing that his identity is secure in the Father, Jesus is immune to the sort of neurotic shame and embarrassment we feel when we step into low status roles or behaviors. Jesus can "take on the form of a servant" because his value and worth are not dependent upon social hierarchies of status and worth. You see this psychological connection quite clearly in John 13:

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Knowing that "he had come from God and was going back to God" Jesus has the shame-resiliency to become a servant. As we see in Peter's response, the disciples are embarrassed for Jesus because they remain caught up in hero games of status. Jesus lacks this neurotic anxiety and is therefore immune to the embarrassment the disciples fear. Jesus can love because he is indifferent to shame. 

Consider also this famous text about Jesus from Hebrews 12: "Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame." The cross involved both basic and neurotic anxiety. Basic anxiety, of course, because the cross involved physical torture and death. But Hebrews 12 points to the neurotic aspect of crucifixion as well, its shame. Jesus spurns not just death in his crucifixion but also its social stigma. We witness here, once again, Jesus' lack of neurotic anxiety, a non-anxiousness that enables sacrificial self-donation. 

There are other examples we could examine, but these suffice to make the point. Over the last two posts we've noticed two distinct features of Jesus' psychology, his lack of both basic and neurotic anxiety. This non-anxiousness flows from Jesus' eccentric, baptismal identity, an identity that enables Jesus to overcome the power of the devil in demonstrations of sacrificial love.