Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Eleventh Christmas Day
Genesis 50:19-21 Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
ELEVENTH SON AND THE ETERNAL SON
I am the oldest of five children. While only a few years separate me from my closest siblings, there is a barrier of years between my youngest brother and myself. Even though he is married and has been blessed with children, I can't help but still think of him as that little kid at home with Mom and Dad. Imagine what it was like for Reuben, Jacob's oldest son, and Joseph -- his eleventh!
While he was the 11th of Jacob's sons, Joseph was a favorite. It was also promised that Joseph would have prominence over the others -- something that older brothers don't like to hear. Joseph's brothers rejected him and nearly put him to death. Instead, they sold their own brother into slavery -- into a life of toil and sorrow. One would think Joseph would have a large grudge to bear, a powerful need to get even. However, the eleventh son did not bear a grudge against his brothers, but was forgiving and mindful of the plan of God to provide for their lives through his misfortune.
How can we not think of another son of Jacob? He is not the eleventh, but the one and only eternal Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth. He came to this broken-down world as the apple of His father's eye. When baptized, the Father declared from the heavens: "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased." He was rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He willingly laid down His life for all his enemies, "never grudging for the lost ones that tremendous sacrifice." This was all part of the Father's merciful plan to provide for our eternal welfare through His misfortune.
On this eleventh day of Christmas, we look back on Jacob's eleventh son, Joseph. We note how he did not bear a grudge, and ourselves ask the Lord to help us to be "kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave us." Moreover, we look forward to the life that is ours through God's eternal Son, Jesus. Whatever difficult circumstances this day brings, we know that our gracious father will work it all for our good, even as he did for Jacob's eleventh son, Joseph.
My God hath all things in His keeping, He is the ever faithful Friend;
He grants me laughter after weeping, And all His ways in blessings end.
His love endures eternally: What pleaseth God, that pleaseth me.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 529:2)
