Restoring Community

Assuring Hope
Jesus, the Promised Servant-leader

Genesis 50:15-21 (The Message)

^14-15 After burying his father, Joseph went back to Egypt. All his brothers who had come with him to bury his father returned with him. After the funeral, Joseph's brothers talked among themselves: "What if Joseph is carrying a grudge and decides to pay us back for all the wrong we did him?"
 ^16-17 So they sent Joseph a message, "Before his death, your father gave this command: Tell Joseph, 'Forgive your brothers' sin—all that wrongdoing. They did treat you very badly.' Will you do it? Will you forgive the sins of the servants of your father's God?"
   When Joseph received their message, he wept.
 ¹⁸ Then the brothers went in person to him, threw themselves on the ground before him and said, "We'll be your slaves."
 ^19-21 Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children." He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.

For Reflection
See? Not even Joseph, who had hard reasons for holding a grudge, for vindictive retribution, responded to the urge for vengeance.  In a God-like response, Joesph forgives his brothers.  It is as though their deeds never occured.

The evil the brothers conspired and carried out in the end was used by God.  This is the Divine Mystery.  Why do bad things happen to good people?  Why are we made in the image of God, yet imperfect?  Because we are human, Not God. Made by God, perfect in our imperfection by God's Grace.

Like Joseph we do not act for God. God acts through us.

Pray
that you become a perfect channel for God's grace.  Pray to forgive your own imperfection.  Pray that you forgive imperfection in others.