Grace in Our Shame

In this message from Genesis 38, we explore the shocking and often overlooked story of Tamar—one of the women named in the genealogy of Jesus. Though Tamar’s life is marked by betrayal, injustice, and deep brokenness, her story reveals a God who is never absent and whose grace reaches into the darkest corners of our lives. Even when sin, secrecy, and suffering seem to dominate, God is quietly working behind the scenes to bring about His purposes. Through Judah’s failure and Tamar’s desperation, we see a God who exposes sin not to shame us, but to redeem and restore. Ultimately, Tamar’s vindication points us forward to Jesus, who entered a scandalous family line in order to bear our shame and clothe us in righteousness. This sermon invites us to trust God’s unseen work, find hope in His justice, and rest in the grace that transforms shame into redemption.