August 14, 2011
Scripture:
John 1:1-5, 9 - 14, 16, & 29
Prayer
Hymn 341- Jesus bids a shine
Prayer
Last time, we read about Joseph’s brothers going down into Egypt; remember how they brought a present of food for “the man”? Why was Joseph being so rough with his brothers? He was doing it to see if they had changed and if they were sorry for what they had done.
Etienne Labelle used to tell a story of a small family with two boys. These two boys fought quite a bit and one day the older boy was really pounding out the younger one. Later, their mother came to him and asked if he was sorry for what he had done to his younger brother.
“Not at all,” he replied,”he deserved it.”
“But what if he died tonight? Then, you would be sorry.”
The boy thought for a moment. “OK, I’m sorry … but if he’s not dead in the morning, he better watch out, because I’m going to get him!”
Was he sorry enough to quit? I don’t think so. That’s the question we are asking today: were Joseph’s brothers sorry enough quit? The word that the Bible uses for being sorry enough to quit is repentance.
Genesis 44:1-19
When the brothers came to Egypt for the second time, they had to bring Benjamin with them. Judah was the one that promised Jacob that he would protect him. Remember, though, Judah is also the one that had suggested selling Joseph.
The brothers had played a trick on Jacob so many years before, but now it was Joseph’s turn to play a trick on them. It wasn’t really a trick; it was more like a test, to see if they had changed. Joseph called the steward of his house (the one that looked after his affairs) and asked him to fill his brothers’ sacks with corn and put their money back into their sacks. Lastly, he was to put Joseph’s silver cup in Benjamin’s sack.
The next morning, the brothers packed up their sacks and headed home. They were probably relieved that nothing had happened, but that feeling didn’t last very long. After a little while, Joseph’s steward caught up with them. When Joseph’s steward got to the brothers, he accused them of rewarding evil for good. “We showed you good, and you’ve done us evil.” The brothers said, “What do you mean? We’ve never done anything like that! In fact, we brought back the money that we found in our sacks.” The brothers were so sure that they didn’t have the cup that they said that if the cup was found in someone’s sack, that person should be killed. So Joseph’s steward started searching the sacks … and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. Benjamin is the one that Judah said he would protect. Is Judah sorry enough for what he did to Joseph, or will he do the same to Benjamin?
This really upset the brothers: they rent their clothes in distress and then they went back to the city. When they came before Joseph, they fell on their faces before him. Maybe they have changed.
They say that, “God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants” (v. 16). What sins were they talking about? They were probably talking about selling Joseph.
Can you imagine how the brothers felt when Joseph said that he would keep Benjamin and the rest of the brothers could go home? Can’t you see Judah squirming in his shoes? It doesn’t seem that they are saying, “Let’s sell our brother.” No, he begged on his father’s behalf to let Benjamin go. It seems that Judah has changed since the beginning of the story. So what happens? We will have to wait to find out.
Luke 6:40-49
In this chapter, our Lord is instructing the disciples he has chosen as to their character and behaviour, before they go out to teach and preach. He told them some of the conditions that they would meet; and a lot of this chapter sounds like the Sermon on the Mount.
Last time we saw how we must have spiritual light in order to be able to lead others. The blind must not lead the blind. We can see that happening in many churches today. Salvation is the starting point for this, when we have our eyes opened. We have been brought “from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God” (Acts 26:18). We then need light in order to do God’s will and take responsibility for Him.
V40. How are you doing at this? The disciples’ Master was perfect, and was teaching them to follow Him. Hebrew’s 6:1 tells us to “go on unto perfection”. Now God sees us as perfect (because we are in Christ), and in our daily lives we must work towards that. That’s the test of Christianity: do our lives match who God says we are? The word “perfect” can also mean “mature”. In manufacturing plants you have the raw materials and the finished products; everything else between is a work in process. That’s what we are: works in process. We shouldn’t be lazy and not want to learn our lessons, but God always seems to bring us along and teach us the next lesson whether we applied for it or not. The Lord was tested in all points on His path, and we aren’t above Him, so we can expect to be tested as well. People hated and rejected the Lord; we will be, too. At a manufacturing plant material is bent and folded and such to be made into the finished product. Are we willing to be humbled to be made perfect and mature? Christ was perfect, and we are being made like Him. Things don’t always go the way that we want, but we must remember that all things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28).
Another thing that the word “perfect” can mean is “perfecting” or “complete”. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” These verses tell us that scripture is given so that we may be complete; that we may meet all of God’s qualifications. The Lord was sending the disciples out with everything that they needed to live in the right way. A machine with missing parts can’t do its job, but one with all parts is complete and can fulfill its duties. We have been given everything that we need to do our work for God.
It’s very human to be critical of others. We are very able to see things that others are doing wrong; much more able than we are of seeing things that we are doing wrong ourselves. We can correct people in the right spirit, but we must do a personal check first. If we don’t, it’s a sign of hypocrisy according to v42. We need to seek to be critical of no one but ourselves; and having a pastoral spirit towards others, trying to help them. If we’re not going on in the right way, we won’t be able to help or be a blessing to others; especially when it comes to meeting matters. Going on to perfection means that we don’t judge people in a “I caught you!” or “holier than thou” spirit; instead we need humility and discernment and faithfulness. If we’re not walking right ourselves, people will say, “I can’t hear what your saying for seeing what your doing.” We need to be in the Lord’s presence, and be right before Him.
Hymn 345 - Jesus loves the little children
Prayer