The Forgiving Prince—Joseph and Jesus

(S1) — The Whole Story—Genesis and Jesus

Seeing Christ in the very beginning—Jesus as God’s greater plan

Last week: Jacob and Esau...and two important lessons

—How forgiveness can heal the deep wounds—How God uses Jacob even though he doesn’t always get it right

Today: Joseph; a brother among 12—betrayed by his own siblings

— How God lifted him from the bonds of slavery to a place of authority—How his forgiveness would preserved a nation...

There is perhaps no greater person in the O.T. who points us to Jesus; similarities in there life stories, and God’s purpose revealed through them

“The account of Joseph is simply an appetizer for the Bible’s main course, the story of Jesus” (M. Lucado).

(S2) — The Forgiving Prince—Joseph and Jesus

One who trusted in God through the worst of life, and rose to the place of a prince…the other who rose up from the ashes of death to be our Prince of Peace

Luke 24:39 “Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me.”

In Joseph and Jesus’ story, we learn that what some intended for harm, God intended it for good. Forgiveness: the way to peace—Jesus who is our peace

PRAY

“Big bothers can make all the difference” (M. Lucado)

Big brothers...can walk us through the rough patches of life.

Bully on the block

Perhaps there was a time when you needed someone stronger than you; someone like a big brother who was willing to walk you through the hard things

(S3) —

The sons of Jacob certainly did! There they stood a picture of pity before the prince; the brother whom they had betrayed, who was supposed to be dead. Would he save them?

They come to the prince seeking MERCY

—needing food to survive the famine...accused of stealing the silver cup...away from their frail and aged father who was mourning the loss of one son (Joseph), and now in fear of losing the second (Benjamin), which would surely kill him.

“They were the face-first on the floor hoping for mercy, but they recieved much more” (M.Lucado).

Forgiveness…from the one they great harm

(S4) — Josephs story shows us that...

Forgiveness is possbile, when we are faithful to the WHOLE story of God!

What Joseph does for his family, Jesus will do for the world!

(S5) — {35} Who is Joseph?

{23-26} One of Jacobs (Israel) 12 sons —Rachel (mother)

{11-12} He and is brothers enjoyed the benefits of their fathers prosperity

But Joseph had something his brothers didn’t—his fathers love

{37} Where Josephs Mess began

3 “Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe.”

His robe, of many colors, became a symbolism of Jacobs favoritism towards Joseph

“If you want to start a ruckus at a family gathering, just ask who the favorite child is” While parents may claim to love every child the same, research suggests that preferential treatment in families is common.

One study found that 70% of fathers and 74% of mothers acknowledged favoring one child. While favoritism may be unavoidable...its effects can be detrimental...promote sibling rivalry, fuel long-term conflict, erode self-esteem, and contribute to depression and behavioral problems

A woman tells the story of a huge family portrait posted prominently above the fireplace in her family home. To the onlooker, there could be no doubt which of her three offspring was the golden child.

The focal point of the photo was their youngest, a toddler dressed only in a cloth diaper. The four other family members—but most especially the parents—gazed at the little Messiah with such adoration that our extended family refers to this as "the Jesus portrait." ELAINA BAKER, Who is the favorite?

Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, making him an ornate robe—Jealousy fuels the rage in his brothers

4 “his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.”

(S6) —Joseph doesn't help himself

— (2) He tells on his brothers—a bad report

— (5) He was the dreamer...

5 “One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever.”

...I will rule over you and you will serve me. And, so begins the up and down journey of Josephs life

(S7) — Joseph’s Pit {12-36}

(14) Israel sends him out to check in his brothers...

(18,19) They plot to kill him...here comes the dreamer

(21) Reuben comes to his aid...stripped him of his robe..they grabbed him and threw him into a cistern (well).

24 Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.”

Josephs life; a real downer

“These are the grandsons of Abraham. The couriers of God’s covenant. Tribes will bear their banners. Jesus Christ will appear on their family tree. They are scriptures equivalent to royalty

Are they deserving of Josephs mercy? Would you forgive them?

(S8) — Joseph’s Journey: down to Egypt {Ch.39}

Judah comes to his rescue...sold as a slave to the household of Potiphar—officer of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Certainly not a high point in his life...and yet he quickly finds his masters favor, who recognizes God in his life

Genesis 39:2 “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did...”

Even in life’s downs, Joseph remains faithful to God’s plan…

Job is someone else who knew the ups and downs of life...The Lord gives and the Lord takes away”

Job 1:21 “He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!””

Like Job the Lord was with Joseph—Put in charge, Potiphar leaves everything in his care. Things are going pretty good for Joseph (up) until he is thrown in prison!

— A false accusation by Potiphar’s wife, becomes a real downer (2 years)…But even there, we learn that, he Lord was with him.. he is put in charge...and his gift as a dreamer pays off

(S9) — Pharaoh's bad dreams

No one to interpret them...Joseph to the rescue...and he is placed in charge of Egypt…why? ...the Lord was with him

— Famine in the land—The survival of Jacobs family is in jeopardy—Joseph's plan saves them and all in Egypt survive the famine.

But this is far from the end of the story—saving Jacobs family was not only about preservation and receiving Joseph's mercy. Josephs brothers get much more than food that day.

(S10)

1 “Joseph could stand it no longer. There were many people in the room, and he said to his attendants, “Out, all of you!” So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was. 2 Then he broke down and wept.

So overwhelmed by his family standing before him, the thought of seeing his father again, and his desire to make himself known; with all the ups and downs of his life behind him…

(S11)

I. Joseph REVEALS himself to them

Genesis 45:3 ““I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them.”

Still grieving his distant father’s love, longing for his younger brothers embrace, the family he once had…

— Josephs coat once a covering of CONTEMPT, now becomes a covering of FORGIVENESS

“22 years of tears and trickery had come to an end. Anger and love had dueled it out and love had one” (M.L.).

In one moment, with one decision, a nation and a people are saved—a family is reunited. Through one man and one act of love, in all the ups and downs of life, Jospeh teaches us that…

(S12) —

Forgiveness HEALS !

I wonder, if as Christians, we have dismissed, forgotten, or underestimated, the power of forgivness to heal...broken relationships...deep wounds of hurt...the pain of suffering...

Joseph doesn’t take credit for any of it. He knows, the lord is with him. He forgives because, he has been forgiven.

Luke 7:47 ““I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.””

Forgivness heals…

We must not overlook his brothers terror, unable able to respond. In response Joseph does three things...

(S13) — The first...

II. He calls them CLOSE !

4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!

In today’s gospel…the disciples are terrified…Jesus comes close—he stood among them

The same it is for us…Jesus comes close we can feel his healing forgivness

(S14) — The second…

III. He REVEALS God to them!

Joseph spoke of the God of their father…the Lord who was with him, who brought healing across the land

5 do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

Joseph helps them remember the God of their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

Psalm 78:11 “They forgot what he had done— the great wonders he had shown them,”

He reveals God to them—the one who was with him in the ups and downs

In Luke…Jesus reveals God to them—his greater plan

Luke 24:44 “Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.””

(S15) — The third...

IV. He shares the JOY with them!

14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

Part of the healing is the embrace...sharing the joy

Close relationships—The best part of breaking up is making up

In Luke…

Luke 24:40–41 “As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. Still they stood there in disbelief, but filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?””

After all they had done...through the ups and downs...the forgiving prince calls them CLOSE—REVEALS God to them—shares the JOY with them

(S16)

What Joseph does for his family, Jesus would do for the whole world!

“The account of Joseph is simply an appetizer for the Bible’s main course, the story of Jesus” (M. Lucado).

Joseph was his fathers favorite son—Jesus was God’s only begotten son

2. Joseph is betrayed by his brothers...Jesus is betrayed by his own people

2. God sent Joseph for the preservation of his people—God sent Jesus to save ALL people

3. Joseph was a dreamer—Jesus was God’s vision; His kingdom come...a restored world...

4. Joseph was a prince for a time—Jesus is the prince of peace for all time

5. Joseph was the bigger brother—Jesus is closer than a brother

Matthew 12:49–50 NLT

Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”

Perhaps your in need of bigger brother? Someone one who is stronger, standing in when you can’t see clearly, willing to forgive...tapping the rim of your deep hurt saying COME CLOSE...see me as your FORGIVING prince—and lets share the JOY together!

Just as God lifted Jesus from the pit of death and raised him up for all the world to see; he will lift you out of your pit so you can see more clearly the prince of peace

Just as God was with Jesus at his lowest place...Jesus is with you at yours

Just as God shared his son with the world...so will Jesus share his JOY with you

Jesus shows us that forgiveness heals, when we are faithful to the whole story of God

Philippians 2:9–11 NLT

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Joseph’s life was a mess, but the Lord was with him. Jesus was in a mess; the cross is messy; and he had every reason to enact revenge on those who intended only to harm him—Instead like Joseph; he forgives

(S17)

Ever feel like your life is a mess...ups and downs?

“You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless. It won’t be quick. But God will use this mess for good.” Max Lucado

God’s mercy starts and ends with forgiveness—so should our life toward others