The Need for Atonement
Genesis 42:21-38
Atonement, in general, has the idea of making amends for wrong doing. In Christianity, it is part of the truth of salvation. The death of Christ on the cross atoned for the sins of humanity and made it possible for us to be forgiven.
The grace of God to Joseph depended on the future work of atonement that Christ would accomplish. The grace of God at work in Joseph meant that there could be forgiveness and reconciliation with those who had hurt him.
Grace vs. Grave Focused Living
- Grace Focused: Joseph had already forgiven and moved forward. He was free from bitterness.
- Grave Focused: The brothers lived under a cloud of guilt. They saw every hardship as punishment for their past sin.
The mindset and heart of the brothers are revealed by their response to the leader of Egypt they still didn’t recognize and the silver they found in their bags. Their unresolved sin had lead to guilt and fear – they believed their present suffering was due to their past sin, and they were right.
A guilty conscience steals our peace will eventually rob us of peace. We can only run so far and for so long before we must deal with it. It is interesting that they believed the distress they had caused Joseph was now their distress. They had ignored his cries for help, they had betrayed and abandoned him, now they suffered.
Joseph, as he hears them discussing their guilt, begins to weep. He had already forgiven them. Joseph experienced the fact that refuse the grave of bitterness we find freedom.
The brothers needed to reconcile with Joseph. More importantly, every sinner needs to seek reconciliation with God and, by extension, with those we have wronged.
Are you at peace with God and with those around you? Do you need to accept the atoning work of Jesus Christ and be saved? Do you need to atone for wrong doing committed against people in your life? Do you need to forgive those who have hurt you? Are you living by grace or by the grave?
Final Thought: Are You Living by Grace or by the Grave?
Joseph’s life exemplifies what it means to live by grace:
- He focused on God’s grace.
- He had God’s strength and wisdom to act.
- He dealt with his loss and moved on.
- He looked out for the needs of others.
- He rejoiced in the present and planned for the future.
Jacob and his sons, in contrast, were trapped by their past:
- They focused on their sin and loss.
- They lacked God’s strength and wisdom.
- They were anchored in the past and could not move forward.
- They focused on themselves.
- They were miserable in the present and had no hope for the future.
Which path are you walking today? Choose grace over the grave and experience the freedom, joy, and purpose found in Christ.
Leave a Reply