Friday, August 9, 2024

Scripture:

Philippians 2: 3-11, Genesis 50: 20

Questions to Consider:

How does Joseph’s story deepen your understanding of Christ’s sacrifice?
In what ways can you reflect Christ’s character in your own life?

Reflection:

It’s hard to argue that a large chunk of Joseph’s life was given for the purpose of advancing the plan of God. In his case it was a mostly unwilling sacrifice, at least at first, but nevertheless his life was defined not solely by self-interest but also the interest of others. This of course is a reminder of Christ’s life which was given solely out of interest for others.

This serves as a good reminder for us in a world where self interest is king. I would go so far as to say that self-interest is the chief idol of the day. To that error let us hear the words of Paul,

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, Philippians 2: 4-6

Christ, more than anyone, could have preached a self-interested message of fairness to all. He could have petitioned the Lord to be treated as the king that he was but instead he preached repentance, faith, forgiveness and surrender to the will of God. For Christ, grasping at equality with God would have been at the expense of others so he emptied himself for the sake of others.

Christ lived on this Earth and died for far more important reasons than showing us how to live a sacrificial life but his life is still instructive and Paul shows us that. When you consider the life of Joseph and the life of Paul and to a greater extent the life of Jesus you see men who gave up themselves for the greater purpose of the redemption of God’s people.

The question to take away then is what do you want to be known for? I will let you answer but I pray that when our stories are written it will be clear that it was not a story primarily of self-interest but a story of Christ. Sacrificing so that others may glimpse the glory and goodness of our God.

Prayer:

Thank you Lord for the sacrifice of our savior for the forgiveness of our sins and for our salvation. Thank you also for the life of Christ that shows us how we should live. Please help us to live as Christ. In his name, Amen