Sunday of Joseph (CL)

Genesis 50:15-21

¹⁵ When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” ¹⁶ So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ¹⁷ ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.” ’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. ¹⁸ His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” ¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? ²⁰ As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. ²¹ So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Have you ever wondered what your last words will be? Have you ever wondered then what people will say your last words are? Or are you like me and most likely nobody will care what your last words are? I would like to think I would come up with something cleaver like, “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.” But most likely it will “Holy $%#*!” So please forgive me.

These are not the official last words of Jacob, or Israel. It is at the death of their father, these brothers realize that they are in need of forgiveness. They do not turn to God for forgiveness. They turn to the one they have harmed. They turn to the one maybe they fear more.

Many of us are taught that God is a loving God. But a jealous boyfriend or husband will not be as forgiving, so that is why we should not use our best line on the girl down the street. The Word of God teaches us to Fear the Lord.

But God our Father in Heaven does give us the words to forgive our brothers, or neighbors. He does not give these words really with the or else statement (Matthew 6:14-15), but he calls us to forgive because he has forgiven you. He sent his only Son Jesus Christ to die for the forgiveness of all your sins. This same Jesus, the King of you died for their sins. If he paid the price for their sins, what are you so upset about? God loves you and them.