December 26

“Now, therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest I see the evil that would overtake my father?” Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried. Genesis 44:33-45:1a.

Joseph has performed the role of a redeemer for his brothers. He patiently caused them to see the sin of their lives when they sold him into slavery. They had deceived their father, Jacob, into thinking that Joseph was dead. They did not know that they were dealing with their own brother, who had become the ruler of Egypt. But Joseph has caused Judah, who had been the original one to propose that Joseph be sold, to offer his own life as a substitute for Benjamin. Judah was saying that he would be a slave to Joseph so that Benjamin could be set free. Joseph could contain his emotions no more, and he wept loudly.

This strikes at the heart of the Gospel. Jesus was our substitute as the cross. We are to offer ourselves in service to God and to our fellow man. We are to realize our sin and turn to Jesus as the great redeemer. We are to take the ‘last place’. When God sees us do this I am sure that He weeps, but it is with a cry of great joy from His heart. He has truly redeemed us into a man after His own image.

Today, Lord Jesus, I thank You for being my redeemer. Turn me from my selfish ways and cause me to serve others. Let me lay down my life and accept Your life in thankfulness and praise. Together we will show Your life to the people of this world, that they might also be redeemed. I thank You in Your great name. Amen.
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