Joseph's love

Genesis 50:19-21

“But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid, I will provide for you and your children…”

In the light of the above verse let us consider how great our Lord Jesus is, in comparison to Joseph, a human being. In Genesis chapter 41:44 we read, “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will liftyour hand or foot in all Egypt.”

The status Joseph held in Egypt was very high. Without the word of Joseph, no one could do anything. Even though Pharaoh was in the highest place in Egypt, he designated a very coveted and important position to Joseph. Joseph had great authority in that land. Joseph was one of the twelve brothers born to Jacob. Jacob loved Joseph and Benjamin more than anybody else. Joseph was cast in to a waterless cistern; he was the one who was sold to Midianites for certain number of pieces of silver; he was thrown into prison, on false accusation; he was the one elevated from that position to the highest authority next only to Pharaoh, in Egypt.

Now this person, acknowledges God, fears him, respects him, humbles himself, and says, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid, I will provide for you and your children…”

Joseph acknowledged in Chapter 45:8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but god. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.”

May be we are in lower or better status than Joseph and have the capacity to forgive others. Nevertheless, can we emulate Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came into this world to save sinners?

Let us turn to Luke Chapter 23 verse 34 Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing…”

How great is the love of Jesus Christ, the Savior of this world. While chief priests and the teachers of the law, who were standing near the cross of Calvary, accusing the Son of God, Jesus Christ, he says, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing…” While Herod and his soldiers were ridiculing him and mocked him, saying if you are Son of God, come down save yourself, and save others, he was saying, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing…” While people were crying release Barabbas, and “Crucify him! Crucify him!’ he was saying, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing…” The people standing there represented you and me too. We were all crucifying Jesus on the cross of Calvary. We all nailed his palms to the hard cross, and crowned him with crown of thorns. Oh! Then, Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing…”

What if really Jesus came down from the cross and saved himself and went back to heaven, the place he came from leaving the eminent position he had there. What if he punished with his mighty power those who crucified him? What if he asked his Father in heaven to send legions of army to kill those who tried to kill him? If that really happened we would not have salvation today. It is because of that great love Jesus had shown on the cross of Calvary, that we have salvation today. It is because his hands were nailed, our hands that committed sin, are free from sin. It is because he bore shame on behalf of us, and did not say a word in opposition while head was crowned with crown of thorns, that our heads are standing upright with righteousness. It is because his feet were nailed that our feet are striding ahead happily into heaven. It is because of the love and great heart he had towards us, that he said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing…” In spite of the fact that he was insulted and hung between two thieves, in an attempt by people there, to project him equivalent to those thieves, he said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing…”

Jesus was also sold for thirty pieces of silver just as Joseph was sold for certain pieces of silver. Jesus was sent in to this world to save sinners. Joseph forgave his brothers, while acknowledging the plan of God in sending him ahead in to Egypt in order that his family may be saved. Even though Joseph occupied a very high place in Egypt, he humbled himself and acknowledged God as the doer of everything.

Are we greater than Joseph? If not, why do we accuse God while troubles over come us? Even while Joseph was forgiving his brothers, he acknowledged God’s greatness. Do we humble ourselves and acknowledge the love of God shown in sending His one and only son, Jesus Christ. Do we acknowledge the forgiving attitude Jesus had? Joseph’s forgiveness extended to his own brothers and his family. Jesus forgives everyone who comes to him with repentance of his/her sins. Even while we were crucifying Him, said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing…”

Let us acknowledge the love of God in sending His one and only Son, Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins.

Thanks are to our God and praise is to Him in the name of His son Jesus Christ.

God Bless!
Leslie John Atlanta