JOSEPH AND JESUS WEPT
Today’s Reading: Genesis 43-44
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Rows of pillars from the great Hypostyle Hall in the Karnak Temple complex just 2.5 km north of Luxor, Egypt.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo click HERE.
Key Verse: Genesis 43:30
Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there.
Joseph is a type, or picture, of the Lord Jesus Christ. Both Joseph and Jesus were rejected by their brothers, sold for the price of a slave, considered to be dead, yet later declared alive. Both wept over people and circumstances, their hearts tender for others and their sin. Both were tested severly.
Joseph, I’m sure, faced the temptation to be angry and bitter against his brothers. Have you, like Joseph, been betrayed, treated cruelly, lied about and forsaken? Because of actions taken and lies told, have you lost the beautiful experience of God’s love? Or have you retained a soft, trusting heart? God honoured Joseph highly because of his magnificent attitude. He’ll do the same for you.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Lord, I need Your grace constantly. May Your Holy Spirit fill me so that the Person of Jesus Christ will be seen through me. Like Joseph, may I be tender-hearted, forgiving any and all who have sought to do me harm. I pray this in the Name of the One who prayed, “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
As children in Sunday School we would be asked to quote a Bible verse by memory. I would often be the first to quote “Jesus wept,” the shortest verse in the Bible (John 11:35). We’d laugh, and even the teacher would manage a grimace. We, as immature children, did not understand the tears of Jesus. The only times we wept were out of self pity. As I grew older, I stopped crying for that reason. It was often reported to me that people would say, “Let’s turn on 100 Huntley Street and watch David cry.” So be it! I wear, as has been said, “my heart on my sleeve.” Sometimes I felt sheepish about my tears. I remember being encouraged when I read that the tough General Schwarzkopf, leader in the first Gulf War, said, “I never trust a man who can’t cry.” I felt better about my tears after that. I’m not ashamed to cry. Jesus and Joseph are my kind of men.
From my heart,
David
David
There are times after or during a seizure I cried, felt I should not do this , but
my sister in law has told me its alright. (she does not know God as I do)
God gave us emotion to use, and it helps us even when I don’t know why.
Have a wonderful Sunday David
Lianne
Many times when God is speaking to me tears flood my eyes and fall to my chin and from the loss of my son and the great financial crisis in my life God has seen me through tears of joy sorrow and weakness I praise God for every tear that fell it was for those tears My Jesus died Praise God forevermore
When I was in nursing school the nursing director asked me when was the last time I cried! I could not understand why she asked that. I was there because I wanted to help people. (I couldn’t remember). Anyway, now a days tears just splash down, sometimes from just seeing something (or hearing). I usually feel foolish! I can certainly understand Joseph’s tears though.
Thank you for making the connection between Jesus and Joseoh which I had not seen.
Shalom
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus
PS I wonder if Jesus is weeping about all the horrific things going on in the world today. I especially think of the Christians in Mosul who have to make a life threatening decision to follow Jesus. I think of Canon Andrew White (aka the Vicar of Baghdad) who recently asked for our prayers for protection, provisions and perseverance!
Of course I meant Joseph NOT Joseoh!
Shalom,
Graham.
This is also a point I consider a similarity between Jesus and Joseph.
Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, (Luke 3:23 NIV)
Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt. (Genesis 41:46 NIV)
It’s like they both reached the peak of their destiny at 30
Stay blessed my blog family:)
Laughing is akin to crying. Too funny memorizing “Jesus wept”. Crying is an honourable act. It’s difficult to relate to a man without a heart and intelligence. Republican Speaker John Boehner of the United States government is also tender-hearted and a man of great intelligence who is not in fear of crying in public if the mood strikes him. God loves us all regardless and that’s what counts.
“Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles”.
Blessings to all.
Strangely enough, I found myself in tears at the opening of the Super Bowl when the line, “And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there” was sung. I felt what it must be like in that moment to see the flag standing after a raging battle. The same way I feel knowing Christ is there through all the circumstances and battles we face in life. His loyalty and love never neglecting us. Praise God! Blessings to all!
One time at church a lady in front of me had a baby who cried throughout the service. After trying all the usual measures to address the source of the crying to no avail I could sense her frustration and embarrassment as other parishioners gave her the eye— finally I could not keep quiet, and I leaned over and said to her “It’s okay, your baby is talking to God- crying is a form of prayer, let him cry because God is listening to every tear”
I know many might not agreed with that perspective but if a mother can understand what their child needs by the type of crying they hear, surely it is not out of realm of possibility that God does too and sometime those babies are praying to Him with the only language they have. Luckily, even as we age our tears continue communicate to our Lord what our hearts cannot put into words.
I love the Bible for many reasons, a big reason is because the life of Jesus is recorded as if He was on earth right now. Everything about Him is human, He eats, laughs, grieves, mourns, teases, smiles, cries, walks, talks, He worked, He can handle money, He smells, sees, touches and tastes. I know some dads that started coming to church because of the way Jesus was and what He did,. Yes He is the Son of God, and so on, but for these fathers it meant something much more real to them. On dad said that he was taught that “boys don’t cry”. This dad and his family are doing great! He is terrific dad. I am so thankful for the tears that Jesus wept. He wept for all of us. We sang “How Great Thou Art” in church today and I shed some tears. It’s a good thing to do! It’s healthly!
A WORD OF PRAISE AND THANKS TO GOD! I came home after church, did some things and (AN HOUR LATER) thought I best go outside and take of something and there on the road were my keys, I must have dropped them, someone could have picked them up, but God directed me to go out when I did and all I can say is THANK YOU DEAR LORD FOR KEEPING MY KEYS SAFE! That is a good thing! AMEN!
Amen!!