Extreme Forgiveness – Genesis 50:18-21

Genesis 50:18-21 says, “Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. “So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

Observation: Jacob/Israel has died. The sons of Israel are left to the will of Joseph, the Pharaoh’s right hand man. Now consider this: Joseph’s brothers did horrible things to Joseph (first tried to kill him and ended up selling him into slavery). What would you do to your brothers if they had done such things? At the very least I would scare the heck out of them in one way or another. The sons of Israel were all pretty much punks except for Judah (read the final blessings from Israel to his sons). They all deserved punishment. And now that Israel was dead, Joseph could do as he pleased because he no longer had to worry about upsetting his father, Israel. But instead, Joseph says one of the most powerful statements in the Old Testament: “…you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” What!? after all that he went through he was able to not only FORGIVE but he was able to see the GOOD in what they had done. Now, it’s impressive enough to truly forgive someone, but he also looked for God’s purpose in it all. Joseph must have been an amazing man!

Application: I have forgiven people who have done things like calling me names, making up lies, going against my authority, you know, the normal kind of stuff. But I have never truly had to forgive someone that has wronged me in the way the Joseph was wronged. So I can’t even say how I would react to such a thing. Some application #1 is to forgive. But now you’re telling me that if something happens to me like what happened to Joseph, I need to ask God what his intentions were and how they apply to my life? Folks, I gotta be honest here, the prospect of such things makes me nervous.

Prayer: God, I mean this prayer…please help me to have the strength to forgive when the time comes. And please let me have the ability to see your hand at work in everything in my life…good and bad!

Jesus is the un-coolest dude ever!

Luke 13:23-27 says, “And someone said to Him, “Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?” And He said to them, strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. “Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ “Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’;and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers.’”

OBSERVATION: Can you imagine being a child of Father Abraham hearing such words? The crowds had assumed that because they were physically related to Abraham they would be able to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Yet, he was teaching almost the exact opposite of what they wanted to hear. While we know there was great fruit of Jesus’ ministry during this time, we also know me met a ton of opposition. It’s almost like the whole purpose of a Pharisee was to discredit what he was teaching because he would totally upset the status quo of the religious standards at the time. Jesus lays out two of the craziest statements in my opinion in this passage. First, he tells the parable (a earthly story with a heavenly meaning) about the gates of Heaven and that we should want to go through the unpopular gate because many will want to enter through and will not be permitted. Second, he says the first will be last and the last will be first. That would totally rock anyone’s understanding of what it meant to be a child of God at the time.

APPLICATION: I remember when I was a child and all the kids would fight to be the first in line, thus becoming the line leader. Those were the good ol’ days. If you had the fortunate opportunity of being the line leader there were certain fringe benefits with the position. Being the first to race to the jungle gym, first to get pizza at lunch, first to the bathroom, and the ability to lead other kids in your footsteps were just a few of those benefits. But, if we apply what Jesus said, we would learn that while my earthly benefits were plentiful, I would be wise to accept my place in the back because those rewards were irrelevant in the bigger picture. I’m reminded of what Luke 14:11 says, ““For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” I have always wanted a good reputation and sometimes gone overboard in making sure people know I have my act together…at least on the surface. But, if I apply these passages to my life I must know that God will be responsible for letting people know what they need to know about me.

Back to why Jesus is so un-cool. He is totally counterculture. He is the exact opposite of what the religious leaders thought was cool. We was probably more like a nerd. Why? Because so few were following him and he knew way more about God’s word than they did. Today, some kids pride themselves in being un-cool, which in itself turns into a click…the un-cool kids (which makes them cool). But none of that even matters. This gives me a peace for a few reasons. 1) They masses will never really like what Jesus has to say. 2) Sometimes I take responsibility when others don’t like what I preach, but that is not my responsibility, I’m only to preach. 3) When I feel that my walk is strong but others aren’t following, I can know that Jesus pretty much said that is how it’s going to work anyway.

So the moral of this story: Love God, Love Others, you’ll probably be a nerd but that’s ok.

PRAYER: God, you know one of my struggles is impressing others and trying to be spiritually popular and cool. Remind me that your son was un-cool, and in your eyes, the Fonzy of Christians. I just want to be madly in love with you.