Reflection by Pat Edmonds on August 16, 2020
Scripture Reading: Genesis 45:1-15
Again I have chosen to preach on an Old Testament passage. This 45th Chapter of Genesis is one of the most powerful and emotional scenes in the entire Old Testament. Joseph’s reunion with his brothers is dramatic. First, the brothers do not recognize Joseph, the young lad they sold into slavery years ago. But Joseph recognizes them. This brings Joseph’s emotions to the surface. Second, the tables of power have turned. The brothers have traveled to Egypt to beg for food. It is now Joseph who holds the power of life and death over his brothers, as they once held over him. Third, we recall how Joseph toyed with his brothers in the three previous chapters – pretending not to know them, accusing them of theft – engineered by him by the way and insisting that they return with Benjamin, the youngest brother. These actions cause the reader to wonder how the rest of the story of Joseph and his brothers will play out.
We cannot wait to see what Joseph will do. What will be his next move in this dysfunctional family and its complex relationships? The tension builds up in Chapters 42-44 and is finally released in the beginning verses of this Chapter. Joseph can “no longer control himself”. He is entirely vulnerable in the process. This is clearly one of those life-changing, pivotal moments when the very air in the room is charged with the significance of what is happening. He tells his servants to leave the room and tells his brothers who he is. In fact so emotional is Joseph that he sobs loudly – loudly enough for the Egyptians outside the room to hear. Joseph reveals himself and asks his brothers to come closer. They do come closer and the miracle of reconciliation happens. Joseph forgives his brothers and reaches out to them in love.
The story of Joseph explores familiar human traits and family relationships. By overcoming his hurt and anger, by forgiving his brothers and saving them from starvation, Joseph gives all of us hope for reconciliation. It would have been natural for Joseph to act out of revenge and anger. Revenge would be consistent with our sinful, human nature. Instead Joseph chooses the way of God and forgives them.
This powerful moment in scripture can give us new hope for reconciliation, not just in our families but in our communities and in our world. Joseph set aside power and revenge and chose forgiveness and compassion. What would happen if individuals, political parties, or nations would act in the same way?
A few years ago I preached a sermon about forgiveness on September 11th – an anniversary of “nine eleven” – the day forever etched in the minds of all North Americans and people world-wide. As the news reports flooded in throughout the day and in the weeks to follow and the death toll of ordinary citizens and rescue personnel mounted, we were all flooded with emotions – strong emotions – shock, anger, grief, rage, hurt, confusion, fear and overwhelming sadness. We wanted to strike out in anger, hit something or go hide in a cave away from all the terrible news reports and images of this destruction and loss of life. Collectively we were crushed, overwhelmed, numb, frozen, blown away with grief and filled with fear. We felt violated. We realized that no place on earth was safe from the deeds of evil man and many of us were overcome with a horrible sense of hopelessness. What could we possibly do in the face of this?
Well, I’m sure that the last thing that entered our minds was FORGIVE. Revenge, retribution, punishment perhaps, but forgiveness? I doubt it. We experience an almost instinctual response to injustice. When someone is oppressed, harmed or victimized, our gut tells us that those responsible must be punished. Even the most spiritual, faith-filled individuals probably never thought of forgiveness. But Jesus said long ago that “an eye for an eye” justice is old news and no longer the way to true reconciliation. The way of forgiveness may be more challenging, but it leads to a deeper, more satisfying outcome for everybody.
Some wrongs are easy to forgive. Other wrongs where we have been used, abused, degraded, shaken to the very core of our being, as on nine-eleven, are very hard to forgive. Even when we know God desires us to do so.
An acquaintance of mine once shared his story of terrible abuse at the hands of his father. As soon as he was able, he left home and never saw his father again. His father died a premature death partly as a result of alcohol abuse. Years later my friend returned to his hometown and went to the cemetery to visit his father’s grave. As he stood there he felt stirred to say out loud, “I forgive you.” The overwhelming sense of peace that flooded his soul with those three simple words was indescribable. The weight of the world was instantly lifted from his shoulders. He felt free at last! He credits this experience for leading him to pursue a life of service in the ministry.
There is an essential and mysterious ingredient to forgiveness that comes from a Divine source. We can have the desire to forgive someone, but it remains unplanted in our souls until God enters in. There is no mistaking the moment when it all comes together and a remarkable peace washes over us as forgiveness flows from a divinely touched source within each of us. Forgiveness provides one of those truly gracious opportunities for us to be co-creators with God as we create and forge deeper relationships. The will to forgive combined with a prayerful appeal for God’s grace leads to something of a miracle – reconciliation. Although we may find as human beings that there may be a limit to our capacity for forgiveness, there is no limit whatsoever to the forgiveness and grace that God provides.
When we choose to forgive, we choose to lay aside our right to extract revenge. When we choose the path of forgiveness, we leave ultimate justice and vengeance to God. Some would argue that when we choose this path we’re yielding all our power and will end up as doormats, being taken advantage of at every turn. But forgiveness IS a powerful tool. Let me share a true story, a courtroom drama.
A young offender was convicted of gunning down another person execution style. The murderer had a bad record, was no stranger to the system, and only stared in anger as the jury returned its guilty verdict. The victim’s family had attended every day of the two-week trial. On the day of the sentencing, the victim’s mother and grandmother were invited to address the court. When they spoke they did not address the jury, they spoke directly to the young offender. What did each of these women say? “I forgive you!”
The older woman went on to say, “You broke the first commandment – loving God with all your heart, mind and soul. You broke the law – loving your neighbor as yourself. I am your neighbor so you have my address. If you want to write, I’ll write back. I sat in this trial for 2 weeks and for the last sixteen months I tried to hate you, But I couldn’t. I feel sorry for you because you made a wrong choice.”
For the first time since the trial began, the defendant’s eyes lost their laser force and appeared to surrender to a greater force – nurturing, unconditional love. After the grandmother finished speaking, the murderer sat, his head hanging low. There was no more swagger, no more icy stare. The destructive forces within him collapsed helplessly before this remarkable display of human love. In choosing the path of forgiveness, that grandmother unleashed a power that revenge and hatred could not.
When we are hurt as individuals or as a society our instinct is to grab a weapon and fight back. But the greatest “weapon” ever used to protect humanity was Jesus Christ who came humbly riding on a donkey and in his last breath said, “Father, forgive them.” That’s a powerful image in a world full of weapons of mass destruction. Thanks be to God!