Good afternoon, Chandler Friends:
Yesterday I preached about, “Joseph’s Testimony” in Genesis 50:20. His testimony of God’s redemption even in the midst of his suffering comes at the end of a long and dramatic story beginning all the way back in Genesis 37. His story has highs (like rising to second-in-command in the Egyptian government) and lows (such as being incarcerated on false charges). Towards the end of the story, Joseph is given an opportunity to exact revenge upon his brothers. They were, after all, the source of so much of his unjust suffering. But instead of returning insult for injury—or taking an eye for an eye—Joseph takes a page from Jesus: he forgives.
Is there something about Joseph’s awareness of God’s providence in his life (even in his suffering) that enabled him to forgive his brothers in that moment?
Is there something about viewing the world through the perspective of Easter that enables us to forgive? to work for redemption? to love our friends—and enemies?
I think so. Easter reminds us: (1) God is with us in our suffering; (2) God works good out of evil; and (3) God is victorious over all forms of death and destruction. From that perspective, God’s Spirit enables us to do so much more than we can do out of our flesh. As the Apostle Paul says, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:5-6).”
Like Joseph, let’s set our minds on the “things of the Spirit” this week. And out of that, may the Spirit give us the power we need to work life and peace in our world.
Josiah Brown
Cell: 405-240-6680
Church Office: 405-258-0722
Email: josiahbrown@chandlerfriendschurch.com
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