Lectionary for 3/26/09

Hopefully we're back on an even keel after some travel and some illness.

Today's readings are Genesis 45.1-20, 24-28 and Mark 13.1-23.

When Joseph reveals himself to his brothers he makes a bold statement.  Look again at verse 5b (ESV), "God sent me before you to preserve life."  Joseph shows all the signs of forgiving his brothers for their sin against him.  he shows all the signs of understanding that he is an instrument of God's mercy.

We often have instances where people sin against us.  We pay the consequences for someone else's sin.  And we don't like that.  It's wrong.  It's very bad.  Yet it happens time after time.  We look at Joseph and see that his life seemed to be ruined by the sin of his brothers.  But in fact his elevation was prepared by his brothers as well.  God took what was evil and worked it for good in Joseph and in the lives of many others.  This passage of Scripture reminds us that we are to forgive when we are sinned against.  We are to see ourselves as instruments in God's hands accomplishing his purpose.

There are two very important issues I still wish to mention.  First, I look at this passage of Scripture and I say, "Fine, Joseph had years and years to get over the fact that his brothers were trying to get rid of him.  Maybe I can bear a grudge for a while then let it go later."  In fact, we don't know how soon Joseph's attitude changed.  God doesn't tell us.  So we would only be speculating to say it took a long time for Joseph to get over it.  Second, Joseph was not able to look back through history at Jesus, the one who was sinned against and did not retaliate, te one who bore the penalty for Joseph's sin, bringing reconciliation between God and man.

We find ourselves sinned against frequently.  Day after day, we pay the penalty for someone else's sin, whether in a small way by picking up the piece of trash someone threw from a car window into our yard or in a bigger way by having our life changed due to other people's foolish decisions.  When we are tempted to grumble about bearing with other people's weakness and sin, let us look to our Lord and Savior who bore our weakness and sin. 

May the Lord turn our sorrow into rejoicing, our mourning into laughter, our hunger into feasting, as he works in us his purpose and plan.