God's Grace Has Not Changed

When Jesus hung on the cross He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”  In Genesis 50 we find a similar scene of grace as Joseph’s brothers came to him after the death of Jacob.  They were afraid that he was still holding a grudge against them for what they had done to him.  With fear they fell on their faces before him and asked him to forgive them.  In the words of the Lord’s Prayer we pray, “And forgive us our debts (trespasses) as we forgive our debtors (those who trespass against us)”.  Is the scene of grace acted out in Genesis 50 acted out in our lives?

Cecil Alexander wrote the beautiful hymn “Forgive Them, O My Father”.  While capturing the words of Christ from the cross, she also clearly conveys the words of Joseph to his brothers.  The first stanza of her hymn reads: “Forgive them, O my Father,
they know not what they do. The Savior spoke in anguish, as sharp iron nails went through.
No word of anger spoke He to them that shed His blood, but prayer and tenderest pity
large as the love of God.”  Joseph told his brothers that what they had done had been done for their salvation in the divine plan of God.  Jesus suffered for our salvation in the divine plan of God. 

The plan of God for salvation is still working in the world.  When early Christians suffered for their faith, they praised God as they were slain.  The forgiveness they showed their tormentors greatly impacted many for salvation.  Today people are still waiting to see if the forgiveness of God is real.  If it is real, it must be real in us.  We are the little “Christs” in the world today.  We must see that God’s plan of salvation for the world includes us as living demonstrations of His grace.  Joseph forgave his brothers.  Christ forgave his tormentors.  We are to forgive our debtors.  We are to do it because it is the plan of Christ to reach the world of sinners through the ministry of His bride, the Church. 

Cecil’s last stanza reminds us that we are still relying every day on the constant forgiveness of Christ and that we must minister the same grace to others.  “And often I have slighted Thy gentle voice that said: forgive me too, Lord Jesus, I knew not what I did.
O depth of sweet compassion! O love divine and true! Save Thou the souls that slight Thee
And know not what they do.”  Let us act with Christ in this ministry of grace.  

  The Saturday Benediction

Until Monday, my friends, may the good God envelop you with His grace; may you prove the common confession of faith, “I believe in the holy Christian church and in the fellowship of the saints”, and may you be enriched with joy and hope as you exercise that confession this weekend.  Amen

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