Defying Bitterness

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame... –Hebrews 12:2 NIV

Have you ever stopped to consider the similarities between Joseph and Jesus? Both of them were falsely accused, yet in the end both were exalted. Joseph became a ruler in Egypt, and Jesus was resurrected from the dead and rules over all. Joseph trusted God in the midst of his betrayal by his brothers, and he believed God would redeem him. Jesus was arrested by the Jews and went to the Cross because He trusted His Father. He knew the pain that was set before Him and endured the Cross (see Hebrews 12:1-2). Joseph was given a special coat by his father, and Jesus was given the robe of righteousness by His Father. Jesus is of course greater than Joseph. God used the evil done to Joseph to physically rescue his people. Joseph could’ve been bitter to his brothers or tried to get even with them, but he didn’t. He forgave them and saved them from starvation. God used the evil things done to Jesus to eternally rescue His people. Jesus didn’t just save them from starvation, but He rescued them from Hell. Joseph was punished for things he didn’t do, and Jesus suffered and became sin on the Cross for things He did not do. Joseph, Jesus, brothers indeed.