A Heart for Others on World Communion Sunday
“When famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians… And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.”
-Genesis 41:56-57
Joseph had a complicated relationship with his brothers. Like Ishmael and Isaac, Jacob and Esau before him, the 12 sons of Israel (Jacob) were jealous of one another. Joseph was their father’s favorite son, born from his favorite wife. He received special treatment and had dreams of ruling over his older brothers. In order to eliminate this bothersome little brother, they sold him as a slave to the Ishmaelites on their way to Egypt and expected never to hear from him or see him again.
As things progressed, Joseph struggled, ended up in prison, and then became the second in command to the Pharaoh because he was able to interpret the disturbing dreams of the Pharaoh. He collected the extra grain during the 7 years of plenty in order to save the people from starving during the 7 years of famine which Pharaoh’s dream predicted. Joseph was eventually reunited with his brothers when they came searching to buy grain during the famine. After the death of Jacob, their father, the brothers feared that Joseph would finally take out his revenge on them for the mistreatment he had endured at their hands. His response to their grief and apology was, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
– Genesis 50:19-21
Many times in Joseph’s were difficult, but all the pieces came together to protect and save lives. The road was bumpy: slavery, imprisoned, from prison to working for the Pharaoh, and finally reuniting with his family. That winding road was God’s way of saving people. There are times in our own lives when we suffer temporarily in order for God to accomplish what is right. Is God asking you to go through something difficult or have a hard conversation in order to do God’s work, the saving of many lives?
This Sunday, Oct 3, we celebrate World Communion Sunday. As we break bread together we remember our brothers and sisters around the world who also are partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Some of them are suffering for their faith. Some of them face hunger and famine. Some are in dangerous situations fearing for their children. As we worship in Kennewick, one of our members, Nancy Kintner-Meyer, is running in the London Marathon. Nancy isn’t just running for herself, however. She is running to raise funds and awareness for our local mission partner, SARC. Nancy will be suffering (I can’t even run 5 miles, let alone 26!) but God is using her sacrifice to save many lives. If you would like to learn more about SARC, please visit:
https://
This week consider the question: Where is God calling me to stand up for what is right?
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
