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Journey through the Scriptures - Genesis 50.19b-20
By jason | January 15, 2008
Scripture
“Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 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.
Observation
What integrity Joseph had. Not only did he save his family from the famine but now when his father is dead and one might expect him to take out retribution on his brothers he doesn’t. In fact, he points to their actions as the provision of God not only in his life but in the lives of many.
I can’t help but think of another who looked to God first, seeing his plan for humanity. Jesus was the one who accepted the evil of humanity because through it good would come for all who would believe in him.
Jesus’ death is the ultimate evil turned to good for the world. What a display of goodness and kindness. Jesus could have come down from that cross and we could reasonably could have expected him to pour out the very wrath of God on the perpetrators. But instead he willing gave his life that many people should be kept alive.
Application
This is the event to which we must continually point. This is a radical counter-cultural act of kindness and is at the heart of the gospel. We must point to Jesus’ death on our behalf in the hopes that many will repent and believe.
And it is also a model for how I ought to live. I need to become someone who is more concerned with the plan of God than I am my rights. I need to be seeking the good of many.
Prayer
Lord keep the gospel central to all that I am. Help me lead LifeConnection to continually point people to the gospel. Draw people to yourself as we lift Jesus up before our city.
And Father help me to live out the example of Jesus in our city. Help me place your plan before my own rights and desires.
Topics: Spiritual Growth, The Scriptures |