Genesis 50:19-21

“But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? Youintended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is nowbeing done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid, I will providefor you and your children…”

In the light of the above verse let us consider how great our Lord Jesus is, incomparison to Joseph, a human being. In Genesis chapter 41:44 we read, “ThenPharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will liftyour hand or foot in all Egypt.”

The status Joseph held in Egypt was very high. Without the word of Joseph, noone could do anything. Even though Pharaoh was in the highest place in Egypt, hedesignated a very coveted and important position to Joseph. Joseph had greatauthority in that land. Joseph was one of the twelve brothers born to Jacob.Jacob loved Joseph and Benjamin more than any body else. Joseph was cast in to awaterless cistern; he was the one who was sold to Midianites for certain numberof pieces of silver; he was thrown into prison, on false accusation; he was theone elevated from that position to the highest authority next only to Pharaoh,in Egypt.

Now this person, acknowledges God, fears him, respects him, humbles himself, andsays, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, butGod intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving ofmany lives. So then, don’t be afraid, I will provide for you and your children…”

Joseph acknowledged in Chapter 45:8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here,but god. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler ofall Egypt.”

May be we are in lower or better status than Joseph and have the capacity toforgive others. Nevertheless, can we emulate Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whocame into this world to save sinners?

Let us turn to Luke Chapter 23 verse 34 Jesus said, “Father forgive them, forthey do not know what they are doing…”

How great is the love of Jesus Christ, the Savior of this world. While chiefpriests and the teachers of the law, who were standing near the cross ofCalvary, accusing the Son of God, Jesus Christ, he says, “Father forgive them,for they do not know what they are doing…” While Herod and his soldiers wereridiculing him and mocked him, saying if you are Son of God, come down saveyourself, and save others, he was saying, “Father forgive them, for they do notknow what they are doing…” While people were crying release Barabbas, and“Crucify him! Crucify him!’ he was saying, “Father forgive them, for they do notknow what they are doing…” The people standing there represented you and me too.We were all crucifying Jesus on the cross of Calvary. We all nailed his palms tothe hard cross, and crowned him with crown of thorns. Oh! Then, Jesus said,“Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing…”

What if really Jesus came down from the cross and saved himself and went back toheaven, the place he came from leaving the eminent position he had there. Whatif he punished with his mighty power those who crucified him? What if he askedhis Father in heaven to send legions of army to kill those who tried to killhim? If that really happened we would not have salvation to day. It is becauseof that great love Jesus had shown on the cross of Calvary, that we havesalvation today. It is because his hands were nailed, our hands that committedsin, are free from sin. It is because he bore shame on behalf of us, and did notsay a word in opposition while head was crowned with crown of thorns, that ourheads are standing upright with righteousness. It is because his feet werenailed that our feet are striding ahead happily into heaven. It is because ofthe love and great heart he had towards us, that he said, “Father forgive them,for they do not know what they are doing…” In spite of the fact that he wasinsulted and hung between two thieves, in an attempt by people there, to projecthim equivalent to those thieves, he said, “Father forgive them, for they do notknow what they are doing…”

Jesus was also sold for thirty pieces of silver just as Joseph was sold forcertain pieces of silver. Jesus was sent in to this world to save sinners.Joseph forgave his brothers, while acknowledging the plan of God in sending himahead in to Egypt in order that his family may be saved. Even though Josephoccupied a very high place in Egypt, he humbled himself and acknowledged God asthe doer of everything.

Are we greater than Joseph? If not, why do we accuse God while troubles overcomeus? Even while Joseph was forgiving his brothers, he acknowledged God’sgreatness. Do we humble ourselves and acknowledge the love of God shown insending His one and only son, Jesus Christ. Do we acknowledge the forgivingattitude Jesus had? Joseph’s forgiveness extended to his own brothers and hisfamily. Jesus forgives every one who comes to him with repentance of his/hersins. Even while we were crucifying Him, said, “Father forgive them, for they donot know what they are doing…”

Let us acknowledge the love of God in sending His one and only Son, Jesus Christfor the remission of our sins.

Thanks are to our God and praise is to Him in the name of His son Jesus Christ.

Today is the day of salvation Jesus saves you