Sermon for Lent Midweek

 

Joseph’s Redemption

Acts 7:9-17

 

Grace, Mercy and Peace . . .  

Acts 7    And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him

This is part of a speech that Stephen gave, just before he became the first martyr among Jesus’ followers.        

Pretty much the same crowd who shouted for Jesus’ crucifixion, would a few months later, turn their anger on Christ’s followers.  They would accost Stephen and stone him to death.

But he had a chance to say a few words first. He was brought before the Sanhedrin, same as Jesus. There he reminded these angry Jews of their history, what their forefathers had been through including this incident about Joseph and his brothers, the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel.

 Joseph’s  brothers were jealous of him. They wanted to get rid of him. They were about to kill him when a better idea presented itself, some slave traders were coming through their ranch, so they sold Joseph into slavery.  “But God was with him”, is the way Stephen proclaimed it.

Joseph is brought to Egypt and ends up rising to great heights there. Through a series of events that could only have been orchestrated by God, Joseph becomes the right-hand man of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. A famine comes, and Joseph manages the resources of Egypt to provide food for many and save many from starvation. Even his brothers come to Egypt looking for relief and are surprised to learn that their brother is not only alive and well, but is exactly the one man who can save them. Joseph graciously forgives his brothers. He tells them, “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” (Genesis 50:20).

This is all recorded in the book of Genesis and Genesis ends with Joseph and his family, his brothers and their families all settling into the land of Goshen in Egypt and prospering.

That’s Joseph’s story. A story of redemption. He was brought low and raised again by the Lord, his Savior.  The treacherous sins of others seemed to nearly destroy Joseph. But he could so trust God , that he could say after it was all over and done with, “God meant it for good”.

That’s how you can handle things when  someone sins against you, when someone treats you wrong, conspires to bring you problems and ruin. When bad things happen to you , are you afraid God won’t help? He won’t bring vengeance and make it right?

Know that God is continually at work to redeem those who are pushed around, about to fall.

Learn from Joseph how to forgive brothers.

Learn from Jesus how to forgive enemies. He endured false accusations, mockery, beatings, and this particular insulting event. Pilate wants to just release Jesus. But Jesus’ countrymen, cry out, “No! Release Barabbas, instead.”  They’d rather have that murderer let out on the streets again, than have Jesus let off – so great was their hatred.

But Jesus knew that even though he would suffer and die, “God meant it for good”. It’s meant for Stephen’s good, so that he could die at peace, redeemed by Christ the crucified. It’s meant for your good, so that you can face every difficult moment knowing that God is orchestrating things for His good and gracious will. It’s meant for your enemies good, because the forgiveness of Jesus won’t run out. There’s enough you can share with others, as you forgive those who trespass against you.

Next we will sing “O God, My Faithful God” and I invite you to pay special attention to verse 2, as a prayer for those who will trust God to do good to us even  if it be through loss and pain and the sins of the world around us.

2 Grant me the strength to do
    With ready heart and willing
Whatever You command,
    My calling here fulfilling;
That I do what I should
    While trusting You to bless
The outcome for my good,
    For You must give success.

Amen.