9 March 2010
Psalm 78:1-39; Gen. 45:1-15; 1 Cor. 7:32-40; Mark 6:1-13

If we look back one generation we see brothers who were separated from one another by deception and we see them in a moment where reconciliation is possible but instead of reconciliation we see détente, Jacob goes his way and Esau goes his own. Here, we see reconciliation in the same family. Jacob has tested his brothers to see if they have repented of their sin against him, if they are different men, if they can be trusted and finds, likely to his surprise, that they have changed and that real reconciliation is now possible. That reconciliation is based on truth, he doesn’t deny the sin against him, they are confronted with the truth and yet the desire is there to reconcile at the level of Joseph providing for his entire family. The dream of his youth is realized and yet the reality is greater and better than the dream, there is no lord and servant relationship, it is the relationship of family although Joseph is the one who has positional leadership he lays that down for the greater relationship of family. See any parallels with the incarnation and Jesus’ relationship with us?

The mission of the disciples is a test run for the mission that will come later, after Jesus’ death and resurrection. They go out on their own, He isn’t with them, but God is, and miraculous things happen through them. This comes after opposition begins to form against Jesus, the seeds of what will eventually be the cause of his death. They believe they know who He is, they know His parents and His siblings, so who does he think he is. The brothers of Joseph thought they knew who he was as well and got an incredible surprise. Does the world know you as the Father’s child, through whom great things are possible?

Paul’s instructions to remain free of cares other than the Lord continue. Those who are married rightly concern themselves with their obligations to their spouse and children, they have a responsibility to them in the Lord. Paul has already spoken of our witness to our spouse. Here he writes truth, it is easier when you are able to devote yourself entirely to the Lord and a married person has divided attention. There are, however, benefits to being married besides the worldly, obvious reasons. Loving another person, forgiving and being forgiven by another person, companionship in prayer and study, bring an intimacy of their own that is truly powerful and teaches us much about loving beyond ourselves. Unfortunately, the experience of pain and sin becomes more intensely personal as well when we have committed our lives to another.

I will open my mouth in a parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
that our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might,
and the wonders that he has done.