The Hidden Jesus
-Weeping Joseph
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I wonder what Jesus thinks of me? That is a question I often ask myself, because it frequently appears I'm doing a pretty poor job as one of his followers. Try as hard as I might, I always seem to be coming up short of the high standards that the Bible requires of me. During one of these times when I was feeling some anxiety about my standing with the Lord, I happened to be reading the story of Joseph when he was reunited with his murderous brothers. Genesis 45 It suddenly occurred to me that there were a lot of similarities here that could be applied to Jesus and I. It could just as well have been the resurrected Jesus talking to me when Joseph said to his astonished brothers "You tried to kill me, but God turned it for the good. Your past acts of cruelty have actually resulted in me coming into a place of leadership and great power, that I might save all of you and many others through a great deliverance." Genesis 45:4‑7 paraphrased |
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Joseph is Jesus and I am his brothers, for they tried to murder him, and in the same way, my sins caused Jesus to be murdered at the cross. Romans 4:25 However, both Joseph and Jesus escaped the power of death, and what should have been a terrible tragedy has worked out for the very best for all of us in the family of God. Isaiah 53:3-6 Now when Joseph is face to face with his murderous brothers, it is not wrathful vengeance that he feels concerning their past treachery, but rather he is a weeping Joseph, crying tears of joy and relief, having long since forgiven them their grievous sins, and now rejoicing that the brothers he loves have been safely restored to himself! Genesis 45:1,2 |
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When those men stood before their brother Joseph, now clothed with royal power, they were absolutely terrified! Genesis 45:3 They knew they had done a great sin against their brother, and now as they stood before him they feared for their lives. But Joseph had long since forgiven them, and when he finally revealed himself to his long-lost family, his face overflowed with tears of joy, as his heart spilled out overwhelming love and compassion for his frightened brothers. In the same way, my Jesus is a weeping Joseph, who looks at me with divine love through tear-washed eyes. |
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Even though I am like Joseph's brothers, often stumbling in my sins, Jesus sees my willing and repentant heart. Joseph forgave because he could see that his brothers had repented of their childhood malice, Genesis 44:1‑34 and so my Jesus also sees my weak but repentant heart that constantly beats with love for him. When my Jesus looks at me, he sees me through eyes that are moistened with the tears of grace. He knows that I am the constant target of Satan's lies, trickery, ambushes and deceit. He knows that I live in a culture that is drowning in the sexual sewage of Sodom, and he is fully aware that I still live in my sin‑damaged flesh that wages incessant war against my renewed spirit. Jesus takes into account that I often fall into sin not because of rebellion, but because of weakness and weariness. Matthew 26:4 |
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Jesus is not ashamed to be called my brother. Hebrews 2:11 He knows the motives of my heart, 1 Corinthians 4:5 so I do not need to be fearful of him. Because of the Cross I am forgiven of ALL my sins, past, present and future, which allows me to come boldly to his throne of GRACE. Hebrews 4:16 Don't be afraid of Jesus, for he is our weeping Joseph, who welcomes all his family with tears, and who will NOT cast us out of his presence in anger, wrath or rage. John 6:37 What does Jesus think of me? The same thing that Joseph thought of his brothers: His eyes spilled over with tears of loving kindness as he dearly and eagerly hugged each family member to himself in a tight embrace, showering them all with kisses of great joy. Genesis 45:15 Come now, don't be afraid, and receive the glorious kisses that Jesus has waiting just for you! |
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