Joseph Reconciled – Pastor Malcolm Atkinson
One way to read the Bible and try to identify is to imagine if we are there, how we would respond. Every character in the Bible is flesh and blood. No one is perfect. Each has his own weaknesses.
Joseph's life has a lot of ups and downs but God was in his life. He was thrown in a pit. He was taken out. He was sold as a slave. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers. He was promoted. Potiphar's wife seduced him. (It's dangerous to have longing eyes contact with the opposite sex. If it's not a right relationship, we should run away.) He was framed and put to prison. Joseph honoured his master's marriage but his master didn't believe him. Joseph worked hard for the master. But his boss didn't even want to listen to him. In the prison the baker and the cupbearer shared their dreams and Joseph interpreted them. Joseph called the cupbearer his friend. He helped him when he needed him. But when he needed him to come through, his friend forgot him. When this happened to us, we may stop believing people. This is a defense mechanism to prevent us from getting hurt again.
Pharaoh had two dreams and no one could interpret them. The cupbearer remembered the Hebrew slave who was a convicted for attempted rape who interpreted his dreams. It was God's plan to bless and protect the nation so they can bless others. That's how God work. He blesses us so we could bless others.
Sometimes when we are overlooked by man, God never overlooks us. God will cause all the right people to see you at the right time and connect all the dots. That's why we work unto the Lord in whatever we do.
Pharaoh put him in charge of the important tasks of managing the grains. Joseph recognized his brothers who came to buy grains. He wanted to see if they have changed. He noticed their hearts were changed. We are normally hurt the most by those who are close to us. We take them for granted. We want to love people while keeping a distance.
When everyone walked away from the leper, Jesus asked 'Where?' He could have healed him with a prayer but he chose to touch him.
Gen 45:1-5 Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, "Make everyone go out from me." So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. (2) And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. (3) And Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. (4) So Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." And they came near. And he said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. (5) And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.
I. Forgiveness Frees You
Joseph's problems started when his brothers sold him as a slave. A slave is normally stripped so the potential buyer can check out his body to ensure there is no blemish. He spent 13 years away from his family. He could have used his position to get even with Potiphar and the cupbearer. He didn't. Now that he saw the source of all his problems and suffering, he decided to reconcile with them. As a Christian, we are given a ministry of reconciliation. We are all ambassadors of Christ.
When two parties are at odds with one another, forgiveness needs to take place first. (Jesse got this immediately before Pastor Mal mentioned it.) With the shedding of blood we have forgiveness and then reconciliation and then eternal life with our Father. We need to forgive.
Forgiveness is hard.
Mat 18:21-22 Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" (22) Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
Peter probably thought he was being generous because the Jews believe they only needed to forgive three times. Jesus answered based on grace. We cannot come to the people with the law but with the grace. 1 Cor 13 love doesn't keep an account of misdeeds. When we choose our own ways, God's way cannot operate.
1Co 13:5 Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, (MSG)
We cannot afford not to forgive. It's a luxury we cannot afford.
What are you holding on to? Whatever you hold on to, you bring into your present and you set your future.
II. Forgiveness frees God
In Gen 39 we see the LORD was with Joseph (v2) and he prospered. But while Joseph was in prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison (vv20-21) The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did (v23).
When we have conflict with anybody, the best thing to do is not to convince the other person to accept our position. We pray for the other person – not to accept our view but to show both parties the truth. When we choose to forgive and cling to God, we release God to work in our life. Don't try to force our way. As long as we are going in the correct direction, we may do things in different ways.
III. Forgiveness frees the one who offended you
Joseph asked his brothers to come near to him. Even if the person who offended us don't ask for forgiveness, we must choose to forgive them.
When we make a choice to follow God (to forgive), the feelings may still linger on. We want to live in the now and present, not the 'should have' or 'could have.' If we choose not to live in regret, then God will enter our NOW and he will help us to shape our FUTURE. Healing takes place when we just walk in the fruit of the spirit and by just extending our hospitality / acceptance.
Pastor Mal shared his own testimony on how he was dealt unjustly but by the grace of God chose to forgive and to cling on to God. God opened doors for him and provided for him.
The Mercy of God sent …
The Love of God to satisfy …
The Justice of God so that ...
The Grace of God can give us eternal life. (not sure about this last line.)
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