Hebrews tells us that, in an act of enormous courage and defiance, Jesus "endured the cross, despising the shame" (Hebrews 12:2) and then adds, significantly, that he is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Incarnation, atonement, resurrection, and ascension--the going down and coming up of the Son of God--open the way not only for the forgiveness of our sins, but also for the lifting of our shame. For these are ingredients in the accepting grace of God and in the invitation to union with God's Son.