The fifth of seven exchanges. What we get at the foot of the cross because of what Jesus did for us! Amazing!! Taken from 'Praying Grace;  55 Meditations and Declarations on the Finished Work of Christ' by David A. Holland:   OUR SHAME FOR HIS GLORY "....looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the same, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God:" ~ Hebrews 12:2 NKJV   "The first shame is that sense of uncleanness we feel when we sin, resulting in damage to ourselves or others. Its close companion is our English word guilt. The second shame is that humiliating sense of defilement and worthlessness we feel when we are used, abused, or wounded by others. "In other words, we feel the first shame when we hurt someone else, and the second when someone hurts us. "Jesus experienced and carried both forms of shame with Him to the cross. When Jesus looked ahead to the cross, He didn't see pain. He saw unspeakable shame. Our shame heaped upon Himself in almost infinite measure. "One of the great wonders of the cross is that Jesus did more than bear our sin. He bore the first great consequence of sin---our shame. No matter what we've done or what has been done to us, we are invited to come to the cross and leave our shame there. "Knowing this, why would we continue to carry a single particle of it?" "Jesus I look to You, the author and finisher of my faith. For the joy that was set before You, You endured the cross, despising the same. Now You are seated at the right hand of the throne Of God. Thank You for pressing through---despising the shame---and enduring the cross for me. "I come to the cross and leave the guilt for my sin there. I leave the defilement and humiliation of every time I have been hurt or abused there, too. I will not insult Your grace or waste Your sacrifice by continuing to carry my shame. In exchange, I take up Your joy and innocence as my own."     *****