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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 lift
your 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 any body 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 to day. 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 overcome
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 every one 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.
Dear Friend,
Today is the day of salvation. Please confess your
sins to Jesus Christ and be blessed. Receive
Salvation and eternal life. Jesus is the Way, the
truth, and the life. Holy Bible says God created man, in his own image and named him as Adam and God put him in a very comfortable place called 'the garden of Eden' and gave him a wife, whom Adam named as Eve. God gave Adam and Eve all the freedom except for eating the forbidden fruit, which Eve and Adam ate and brought sin into this world. In order to redeem mankind from their sin God sent his one and only son, Jesus Christ, who died for our sake, was buried, rose from the dead and ascended in to heaven.
[...Jesus Saves You...]
Leslie M. John |
