Lasting Impact of Sin

 Genesis 43-44                   Psalm 23             John 15

 In Genesis 43 and 44 we find Joseph’s bothers back home with their father and once again out of food needed for survival. Joseph and the sons are both put under tremendous stress as they think about what is ask of them and the risk involved in doing what is demanded. We can’t forget that throughout this story deception and misleading have really been a way of life in the family. There is also a touch of being selfish as each of them ask if the other cannot see what is being ask of them and the cost of doing what is demanded.

 Feeling he has no choice after listening to his son, Judah, Jacob decides he must risk the loss of Benjamin if they are all to live. Don’t miss the fact that the value of the sons become clear to all. We must also see that Jacob still has wealth as seen in the gifts he prepares to send in an attempt to show his submission.

 Reading through this interaction between Joseph and his brothers, while they still don’t recognize him, is another look at the long-term cost of deception and misleading to get what we want. The guilt that goes with it lasts and at some point, a decision has to be made on being honest. We begin to realize the cost of those long ago lies and what we assumed was hidden comes to light. The hardest part is that those confessions come not as a demand they be made but as a recognition that it hasn’t worked out as we planned. God was working to make them see themselves for what they really were.

 We have to note that the one that paid the highest cost but remained faithful and trusted God no matter where he found himself is blessed and put in a position to make a difference in the world, not just for his people.

 In another book I was reading this morning it referred to Psalm 23 and so I turned there to look at it once again. It is one of those readings we can gloss over because it is so familiar but that is a mistake. It takes us deep into our relationship with God.

 The Lord God is our shepherd. Too often I think we see a shepherd as someone that is meek and mild and walking along with the animals put in their care. In reality being a shepherd in David’s day was to be put in charge of the family wealth and responsible for protecting it, helping to increase it’s value and most of all being responsible. It was an incredible responsibility and at times very dangerous. Think about the fact that a rod was a weapon and the staff could be both a weapon and a tool to bring the flock back in line.

 David’s reflection is that like a shepherd’s relationship with their flock, when God was watching over him he did not want for anything. God gave him rest, led to quiet places, restored his soul, and guides him in the ways of God. Don’t miss that God does all those things for God’s name, not David’s. However, because David pays attention those blessings God brings to his life he feels anointed, overflowing with abundance and that the goodness and love of God will not only follow him all the days of his live but he will then be able to live in the presence of God forever.

 Every time I read the Psalms, or songs, or David I can’t help but think of the many great sins he committed while still struggling and seeking the right way to serve God. David was far from perfect but he was after God’s own heart even when he failed.

 In John 15 Jesus reminds his disciples, and there for those of us that take on the name of Christian, that pruning is a part of a healthy life. He tells the disciples the even the healthy branches will be pruned, part of what is healthy but using resources better used elsewhere, so that those same branches might bear even more fruit.

 He goes on to talk about their future and the potential to be effective disciples and disciple makers that will impact the future Kingdom of God. It starts by knowing his teaching and the Word of God so that we might know what it is to be full. He has called us friend and because of that those that follow him will even lay down their life for one another. He commanded them to love one another.

 One of the things I really appreciate about the teaching of Jesus is that he doesn’t hide the cost of following him and teaching his commandments. People will hate you and attempt to destroy you. Sometimes we would rather the Word of God not be fulfilled if we are honest. The promise we are made that in the end Jesus will testify, tell our story, because of our faith and it is our work to testify, tell his story, about his faithfulness to us. In the end we both end up glorifying God, not ourselves.