In a Nutshell:

We all have an ugly side—moments when road rage erupts, jealousy consumes us, or bitterness takes root. Pastor Jeremy acknowledged this reality: “There’s an ugliness in all of us.” Today we explore how Jesus took all our ugliness upon Himself so we could experience His beauty. What if accepting our ugliness is the first step toward transformation?

Anchor Verse (NIV)

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5

Unpacking the Word

There’s a Japanese art form called Kintsugi where broken pottery is repaired using gold, highlighting rather than hiding the damage. This practice transforms brokenness into beauty, treating fractures as valuable rather than shameful. Similarly, Isaiah’s prophecy shows us that God doesn’t ignore our ugliness—He addresses it directly through the cross.

Pastor Jeremy spoke candidly about the human condition: “We don’t mean to be ugly, but sometimes we’re driving the car and the guy cuts in front of us and it’s like blast the horn is loud and wave half a peace sign out the window.” This frank admission acknowledges what we often try to hide—our capacity for ugliness. We all have moments that make us wince in shame, whether it’s the cutting remark to a loved one, the jealous thought about a colleague, or the self-centered decision that hurt others.

The profound message of Isaiah 53 is that Jesus didn’t just die for our “acceptable” sins—He took our ugliest moments upon Himself. When the Father turned away as Jesus hung on the cross, it was because “the full ugliness of sin that started way back in the garden suddenly was manifested to its final and climatic degree.” This is simultaneously humbling and liberating. It’s humbling because we recognize our sin cost Jesus dearly. It’s liberating because no part of us is too ugly for His redemption.

This understanding transforms how we view both ourselves and others. We can acknowledge our ugliness without being defined by it. We can extend grace to others because we’ve received it ourselves. As Pastor Jeremy noted, sometimes our ugliness emerges from deep wounds—like his childhood experiences of rejection that led to anger and a “foul mouth.” Understanding this connection between our wounds and our ugliness fosters compassion rather than condemnation, both for ourselves and for others who may be acting out of their own hidden pain.

Faith in Action

• What “ugly” parts of myself am I trying to hide from God or others?
• How might acknowledging my ugliness actually help me receive grace more fully?
• Action Step: Identify one “ugly” pattern in your life and share it with God, asking for both forgiveness and transformation.

A Moment With God

“Father, I confess my ugliness to You—the thoughts I hide, the words I regret, the actions that shame me. Thank You for sending Jesus to take all of this upon Himself. Help me live in the freedom of being fully known yet fully loved. Amen.”

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