February 26, 2025 

Today's Reading: Genesis 45:3-15

Daily Lectionary: Job 21:1-21; Job 21:22-30:15; John 8:39-59

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Until the moment Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, they were very afraid. Simeon had been taken prisoner the first time they showed up. Benjamin was about to be taken as a slave, which would kill their father. And Judah had just offered to be the sacrifice to pay for Benjamin’s sin. It was a selfless act done for the sake of a brother who was loved, for a father who was loved. 

Besides, it had been the brothers’ own sin that had caused this mess in the first place. They had acknowledged that sin on the first trip down, where Simeon was lost. To lose another brother in the same way brought that sin right back to the forefront of their thoughts. So it wasn’t solely a selfless act; it was Judah confessing his own sin and the need for him to be the sacrifice that paid for it. 

It was at this point that Joseph stepped forward and told his brother, Judah, “You’re not the sacrifice. I am.”

The one sinned against went before the brothers into Egypt. He endured slavery, prison, and becoming an Egyptian in order that they would be saved. He gave up all that they might live. 

We, too, have sinned. We sin against God. We sin against our brothers and sisters, the people God has put in our lives. And standing before God cannot help but remind us where we have done wrong and failed to do what is right. Convicted of our own sin, we know a sacrifice must be made. Sin must be paid for. And the price must come from us.

It is at this point that Jesus steps forward and tells you, “You’re not the sacrifice. I am.”

The one sinned against goes before you into this world. He endured the suffering life of this world. He was betrayed, beaten, and crucified. He shed His blood on your behalf. He bore your sin on His shoulders so that you would not have to. He entered into death, in order that it might be conquered in full before you got there. And He gave up all that you may live. 

He says to you, “I am your brother, Jesus, whom you sinned against. And now do not be distressed, for the Father has sent Me before you to preserve life.” He has preserved your life. Your sins have been forgiven. The sacrifice has already been made. And His resurrection is yours forever.

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

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