Day 11 – September 15, 2023: Genesis 37-41 and John 20-21

It is simply not fair that there are so many good stories and hugely important theological truths in these few chapters. We find the story of Joseph where he goes from the impossible to being placed on a throne. The resonating message with Joseph is that all things are possible with God. The providence of God where He is leading us from one step in our lives to another is so clearly visible. He is that bratty brother, but to the Nth degree (Nth degree), and they decide to take care of him in the most unbrotherly way possible. First Joseph is saved by his brother Reuben, remember that name, he comes into play later on. Then he is sold to one of the most powerful people in Egypt who decides not to kill him when he is accused of trying to rape his wife. He meets a person who then eventually is able to get him into Pharaoh’s presence and when he does, he does what God has gifted him to do. Each step along the way, even the most tragic and terrible, God is able to lead him to a place where he is able to take the next step to ensure the salvation and safety of his entire family, read Jacob who is actually Israel.

God is able, always is able. Even in the middle of a storm God is able to calm the storm. But even more importantly in this instance God is able to direct the sins of others which creates tremendous suffering and pain, to a place where our future is still able to complement His plans for his kingdom. There is nothing in our life that will ever be able to disqualify us from being a crucial piece of his work. Make sure you hear this and believe it and base your life upon the fact that God’s desire is to use us for His purpose.

Then there is John who gives us the reason for why the Bible was written. Did you get that? He literally tells us why the Bible is written. Look at 20:31 where we read: “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. ³¹ But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” We have life in his name because we believe, but remember that believing is not enough, but it certainly has to be present.

The resurrection story of Jesus is so different with the women playing a much different role than in the other Gospels. Now, remember, each Gospel has its own take on the resurrection because each Gospel was written by a different person. John has the relationship of Jesus with his disciples as front and center. Thomas’ words in 20:28 are the words that ought to be on our lips. My Lord and my God. Sometimes we stop at the point of just being able to say: “My teacher”. But Jesus is Lord, that means he is our master and we are his servant and we are completely his, completely. As our God we obey his voice and we live the type of lives that reflect his Lordship, his divinity, in our life.

The last thing I’m going to cover is the rehabilitation of Peter. Three times Peter denies Jesus and here three times in front of all the other disciples he has to confess his love for Jesus. As a result he is able to do the things that allow the church to grow to where it is today. Without a doubt Peter is the leader of this motley crew, as flawed as he was, but God is still able to use him. But what about our friend John, who remained by Jesus’ side at the cross. He’s going to hang out at Ephesus for a while with Mary. To me it is interesting that there isn’t a story of Jesus’ resurrection of him and his mom meeting once he rises from the dead. That would have been a good one.