Monday, June 20, 2016

Grace: The Innocent for the Guilty

Innocent, sold as a slave he was, cast from his home of love because, of vile jealousy.
Innocent, hung on the deadly tree, cursed by God for sin was He, for my iniquity. 
Genesis 37 begins the full account of the life and ministry of Joseph.  When I taught at Bible college my favorite class to teach was Christ in the Old Testament.  We looked at prophecies, pictures and profiles of Christ.  The person whose profile most often matched that of Jesus Christ was Joseph.  There are over 100 comparisons of their life and ministry.  In the stories of Joseph we will find a panoramic vista of grace.
Chapter 37 of Genesis relates the story of Joseph being so hated by his brothers that they cast him into a pit and then sold him as a slave into Egypt.  We might pause to think how we would react toward our brothers if they treated us so wickedly.  Would we ponder revenge on them as we find done in The Count of Monte Cristo?  Would our life be spent in getting even?  That is certainly a human reaction.  It is a reaction that erupts from our sin nature.
Skipping ahead in Genesis to chapter 45 we find Joseph’s brothers standing helpless before him in Egypt where he has risen to be next only to Pharaoh.  They are hungry and fearful.  This is that great opportunity for revenge.  But Joseph didn’t take that path.  He offered them a home and safety.  He offered them a life of plenty instead of a life of want.  Joseph was gracious. 
Skipping further ahead to the Gospels of Jesus Christ we find our Savior hanging on the cruel cross of shame.  Around him are the tormenters and accusers.  They are in need of a new heart and hope in God.  Jesus looks on the crowd and says, “Father, forgive them.  They know not what they do.”  He was gracious.  He was dying for the sins they were committing against Him and He was gracious. 
Paul tells us in Ephesians 4 to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake, has forgiven you.”  Joseph was just a man like we are, yet he possessed the Spirit of Christ as all believers do.  By that Spirit he could be gracious.  So can we. 

Innocent, made by His decree, son of God with Him I be, to show His victory. 


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