Fifth Sunday in Lent (2025)

Good News from the Beginning: The Gospel in Genesis

Trusting God to Bring Good from Evil

The injustice in this world can be painful to see—or even to think about. So often, the faithful suffer while evil seems to prosper. Perhaps most troubling of all are situations in which we see someone suffering not because of anything wrong he or she has done but because of the wrong someone else has done to that person. During times like this it is a struggle to see God’s hand at work. A poignant example of this is found in the last chapters of Genesis, where we see the sufferings of Joseph.

During each of these midweek Lenten sermons, we’ve found that this very first book of the Bible—Genesis—is rich with Gospel, just as we’d expect to find in the New Testament. But the situation Joseph faced was extremely desperate. Will we find any good news this one last time? What I want us to grasp this last Sunday in Lent is that God can transform situations meant for evil into good.

I. Joseph’s Example of Forgiveness and Providence (Genesis 50:15-21)

You recall the story: Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. He finds himself in Egypt and gets thrown into prison due to a false accusation from Potifer’s wife, but finally earns Pharaoh’s trust and is released.

Ultimately, he is put in charge of the stockpiling and distribution of food, which is critical due to a famine.

Joseph’s family, who thought he was dead, travel to Egypt in search for food and Joseph provides for them.

Now Joseph’s brothers are filled with Guilt and Fear (Genesis 50:15-18)

Jacob, their father, has died and now the brothers fear of retribution and plea for forgiveness.

The brothers of Joseph feared he’d seek revenge for selling him into slavery.

The brothers sent a message of confession to Joseph. They admitted they did Joseph wrong, that they had sinned.

Joseph wept when the brothers spoke with him. And the brothers fell down before him.

Highlight the human tendency towards fear and guilt over past wrongs.

We, too, tend to be fearful when we’ve done something we shouldn’t have. We avoid. We hide.

And when we do face the person we’ve wronged, usually our head is hanging low in shame.

Joseph’s Perspective on God’s Plan (Genesis 50:19-21)

Emphasize Joseph’s forgiveness and his understanding that God used their actions for a greater purpose.

Genesis 50:19–21 “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.”

So also, we do not need to fear that one day our Lord will want to judge us for our sin that nailed Jesus to the cross. What man did to Christ on Good Friday was evil. Our sins for which he died are evil. But God has shown us the good news that, “In Christ, We Have a Savior Who Brings Good out of Evil.”

Explore his assurance that God’s plan is sovereign and good, even in suffering.

God showed us that in the events of Joseph’s life—and he fully shows us that in the suffering, death, resurrection, and gracious reign of Christ Jesus our Savior.

From the darkness of Calvary, he brings the light of our salvation. From his death, he brings us life. Even in the midst of our own suffering, God causes all things to work together for good.

This brings me to my next point:

II. God Works All Things for Good (Romans 8:28-39)

God Works All Things for Good (Verse 28)

Discuss Paul’s declaration that God works all circumstances for the good of those who love Him.

Greek Grammar—”For those loving God…”

The great fact, “that for those loving God all things work together for good,” is a fact known only to Christians from the Word. If it were not for this Word, they, too, would think that only too many things work for their evil instead of for their good (Lenski).

We are Christians not because we love God, but because of what the love of God has done for us.

Therefore, God’s loving providence takes perfect care of those who love God. The idea is just as natural as that a father should keep his own beloved and loving children.

We can be confident that in the midst of difficulty and sorrow, God will weave all things, even hardships, into a beneficial outcome.

God wants us to have unwavering assurance in His love (Romans 8:31-39)

Romans 8:38–39 “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Nothing can stop God’s love from reaching and holding us, so great is this love. Nothing can separate us from God’s saving love by placing a barrier between us and that love, so that it cannot reach us.

Living with Assurance and Peace: live in the peace that is yours that comes from knowing your present and future are secure in God’s love, much like Joseph lived with the assurance of God's plan despite his circumstances.

Despite betrayal, false accusations, and imprisonment, Joseph knew and experienced God’s faithfulness. His life story illustrates the assurance that God’s desires for us that His love remains constant, no matter what we are going through.

The cross and resurrection are the ultimate proofs of God’s unbreakable love. Much like Joseph’s rise to power in Egypt was a testimony to God’s faithfulness. Jesus’ sacrificial love is the bond that forever unites us with God, enabling us to face any trial with confidence.

And just as Joseph was elevated to a position of authority to save his family, Christ has triumphed over sin and death, securing our salvation. This triumph ensures that neither sin nor death can separate us from God’s love.

III. Christ’s Submission to Evil for Greater Good (Matthew 26:47-56)

Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest (Verses 47-50)

Betrayal is excruciatingly painful. What makes it so is due to the fact that it comes from someone you love and trust. It comes from someone where defences are nonexistent. You don’t expect it.

However, because Jesus is God, He knew he would be betrayed.

Judas had sold him out for 30-pieces of silver.

When they celebrated the Last Supper, the devil had already entered Judas to do this horrible deed.

And this was the fulfillment of God’s Redemptive Plan (Verses 51-56)

Jesus understood and accepted the Father’s will in the midst of chaos.

Jesus articulates His acceptance of the Father's will by stating, "Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?" Here, Jesus reveals His understanding that the events transpiring are a necessary fulfillment of Scripture. Despite having the power to call upon divine assistance, Jesus chooses the path laid out by the Father, highlighting His obedience and submission to God's redemptive plan.

This passage shows Jesus as the epitome of peace and purpose in a tumultuous situation, fully embracing the Father's will even when it leads to His arrest and eventual crucifixion. His response to the chaos around him becomes an example of unwavering trust in God's greater plan, even when it involves suffering and sacrifice.

And this brought about the greatest good—redemption for humanity.

We know how the historical account end, and we will hear all the details next week. Suffice to say, Jesus endures a kangaroo court. He is mocked and flogged, and ultimately crucified for crimes He did not commit.

They were my crimes. They were your crimes. They were our crimes. Jesus took our place. We should have been the ones mocked, flogged, and crucified. But, Jesus stepped in and took it all for us.

In the life Joseph and in Jesus’ sacrifice: God uses evil for His redemptive purposes.

I encourage you Brothers and Sisters, when the struggles of life press in on you, do not begin to think that God has abandoned you, for nothing will ever separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Instead, hold firmly to the reality that God is walking with you in the midst of your struggles and is working with your struggles for your good.

The ultimate expression of good from evil is found in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, securing our eternal life and peace with God.

Verse 1 How deep the Father’s love for us How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss The Father turns His face away As wounds which mar the Chosen One Bring many sons to glory

Verse 2 Behold the Man upon a cross My sin upon His shoulders Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers It was my sin that held Him there Until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life I know that it is finished

Verse 3 I will not boast in anything No gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom