I have been trying to write this article on forgiveness for a couple of weeks. The problem is I have so much to say that I don’t really know where to begin. The other problem is I didn’t really want to write on this topic (for some very personal reasons), but I’m trying to be obedient to what the Lord has told me. Without question, HE has asked me to write on this topic.
Wouldn’t you know that this morning in Sunday School, the lesson was on forgiveness. Coincidence? I think not!
When you hear the word “forgiveness”, what comes to mind? Is it possibly someone you’ve never been able to forgive, a struggle you’ve had in this area? Maybe it’s just how difficult the task truly is.
When I hear or meditate on the word “forgiveness”, I think of 3 people: Jesus, Joseph in the Bible and my dad.
Jesus. Perfect Jesus. Even hanging on the cross in excruciating pain from nails in his wrists and feet, thorns puncturing fragile skin on his scalp and head, not to mention all the flesh that had been torn and was bleeding profusely from lashes with a whip and not being able to breathe easily on the cross, Jesus still prayed to the Father, “Forgive them for they don’t know what they’re doing” (paraphrase). Even as folks in the crowd mocked him, even as people in the crowd made fun and even as a Roman soldier jested, “If you are the Son of God, come down off of that cross” (Matthew 27:40), He was still loving and forgiving!! Jesus exuded love and forgiveness in his most difficult hours of life, suffering on that rugged cross for you and me. None of us would’ve blamed him if he had shouted back. None of us would’ve blamed Him if He called down the angels to rescue Him. After all, He didn’t deserve what happened to Him. Thankfully, Jesus did not give in to His own will, but released Himself to the Father. I can’t hardly wrap my brain and heart around that kind of love and forgiveness Jesus carried out as He gave His life up for each of us.
Just to know that Jesus paid the ultimate price for MY sins and YOUR sins is truly humbling. He didn’t deserve it. He was the PERFECT substitute for you and me. When I admit my sin to Him, He forgives me and removes my sin as far as the east is from the west. Mind blowing!!!
Joseph in the Bible was a forerunner to Jesus. He wasn’t perfect by any stretch. We certainly witness that as we read accounts of him interacting with his family in Genesis 37:2-50:26. I’ve heard some preachers say, and I’ve also read commentators who believe that Joseph was close to perfect. He didn’t do anything wrong. I disagree with that perspective. Early on, when he was young, he was arrogant and boastful. He rubbed it in his brothers’ face that he was Papa Jacob’s favorite son, and that his brothers would one day bow down to him. Whatever the case, you know the story. Joseph’s brothers plotted and sold him into slavery. He was stripped of his beautiful coat that Daddy gave him, beaten and pretty much left in the desert to die – or would’ve been if Reuben hadn’t stepped in. What his brothers did to him was just unfathomable. Left to die in a deep cistern in the desert – and then sold into slavery.
If you want to read the full account, turn to Genesis 37:12-36.
Fast forward. Joseph goes through much after he’s sold into slavery.
As Potiphar’s loyal servant, he is unjustly accused of rape by Mrs. Potiphar; even after being a godly man of upright character who runs away from a proposition from the Mrs., he is unfairly imprisoned; and then he’s forgotten by the Pharoah’s cupbearer.
We see this young man go through all of these trials, and finally he rises through the ranks to be rewarded and become second in command over all of Egypt.
Bottom line. By the time Joseph’s brothers appear before Joseph to beg for food during great famine, he harbors no resentment. He doesn’t seem to have to work through his unforgiveness; there’s no process involved. Even when he’s in prison, even during his time as a slave as he’s adjusting to life in Egypt, if he deals with unforgiveness or bitterness, we are not privy to it. Was God working on his heart during that time? Or through all the many valleys and struggles had he learned to depend on his Father God like never before?
It makes me wonder.
Genesis 49:23-24 seems to indicate that through all of his troubles, he did mature spiritually and look to His Heavenly Father.
“With bitterness archers attacked him (Joseph); they shot at him with hostility. But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.” These verses reveal that Joseph did turn to God to “steady” him and keep him on the right track. Who else did he have to turn to? Not his father who played favorites his entire life, not his brothers, not servants. It was either do it Joseph’s way or follow the One True God.
But my favorite line from the passage about Joseph that is the takeaway from this entire story is also one of my faves from the entire Word of God. Here it is…drum roll, please… “You (his brothers) meant evil against me, but God used it for good.”
But could God have accomplished this incredible example of reconciliation and forgiveness and bring the family back into unity if Joseph had held on to his “rights”? God can do anything, but I think in this case, the answer is obvious. God had to get Joseph to a point of full submission before he could allow a sweet family reunion.
Don’t you agree?
And then I think of my next example…
Laura's Lines 