Once challenged, Jesus’ listeners were given a new place to find their identity: in God. Who you are in God is who you are. That’s the end of ups and downs. My value no longer depends upon whether my family or village likes me, whether I’m good-looking, wealthy or obedient to the laws. Jesus’ message is incredibly subversive in an honor/shame society! Yet as he takes away their old foundations, he offers a new, more solid one: neither shame-nor guilt-based, but based in who-you-are-in-God.
