August 8: The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. –Genesis 37:23-28
Joseph wore the robe of royal adornment. He was the one on whom the favor of the blessing bearer rested. His brothers hated him for it so they mocked him (37:20), sold him for silver, stripped him of his robe, led him away to crucify him, ate to their fill while he remained empty, and sold him.
Jesus Christ wrote the robe of royal adornment (Matt. 27:28). He was the one on whom the favor of God rested (Matt. 3:17). His “brothers” hated him for it (John 15:24) so when “they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him(Matt. 27:31). He was sold to the enemy for silver (Matt. 27:15).
The next time Joseph’s brothers would eat their fill with him was when he was at the head of the table (43:32-34), and treated them not as they deserved, but with grace and mercy.
The next time we will eat our fill with Jesus is when he is the head of the table at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9,17), and he treats us not as our sins deserve since he has been crucified for them, but with grace and mercy forever and ever.
And that’s the gospel! Come hear it preached and enacted in the supper with Jesus this Sunday.
The related hymns we’ll sing are:
All Creatures of Our God and King
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Lift High the Cross
MEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST
Don’t forget the men’s prayer breakfast this Saturday (August 7) at 8:30am at the church!
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday school for children (in Genesis) and adults (in Galatians) is continues. Coffee and other treats are served at 9:15, teaching begins at 9:30, and we break to get ready for worship at 10:15.Â
Visitors are always welcome!