When we’re tempted to doubt the goodness of God…or doubt that he’s at work in our situation…we just have to remember the story. “What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything?” (Romans 8:31–32, CSB)
When we realize that we’re the brothers – and not Joseph – we actually learn to forgive like Joseph. We’re like the sinful woman in Luke 7 who anointed Jesus. The pious were appalled. But Jesus came to here defense: “Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.”” (Luke 7:47, CSB)
You and I have been forgiven much. We should love much! And that’s the gospel according to Joseph.
Dysfunction. Betrayal. Heartbreak. These are some of words describing the life of Joseph. But his story is our story, too. In a striking parallel to the Gospel, where God redeems and restores broken and dysfunctional sinners and makes us into a family.
When we’re tempted to doubt the goodness of God…or doubt that he’s at work in our situation…we just have to remember the story. “What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything?” (Romans 8:31–32, CSB)
When we realize that we’re the brothers – and not Joseph – we actually learn to forgive like Joseph. We’re like the sinful woman in Luke 7 who anointed Jesus. The pious were appalled. But Jesus came to here defense: “Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.”” (Luke 7:47, CSB)
You and I have been forgiven much. We should love much! And that’s the gospel according to Joseph.
Dysfunction. Betrayal. Heartbreak. These are some of words describing the life of Joseph. But his story is our story, too. In a striking parallel to the Gospel, where God redeems and restores broken and dysfunctional sinners and makes us into a family.
Loving Others
