"Guilt is a Heavy Thing"

BIBLE READING: Genesis 41-42
           Isn’t this a sticky situation?  Here we have the ten brothers of Joseph coming to Egypt to buy food for their family due to the famine from none other than their brother Joseph.  The Bible tells us that even though they don’t recognize him, he recognized them.  In the process of meeting with them, he begins to question their intentions and toy with them and make them sweat.  It doesn’t take long before the brothers begin to say to one another, in Genesis 42.21, something to the effect of “this is all happening to us because of what we did to our brother Joseph all those years ago.”  I would venture to say that this wasn’t the first time this thought came to their minds.  I wonder if anytime something did not go their way, they thought that their misfortune was due to their sin against their brother.  Having that feeling of guilt can be a very painful thing to carry.  Given the opportunity, I am sure they would have done things differently.  However, all they have now is that heaviness of heart due to the guilt that they are feeling. In their minds, this guilt would never go away, because there was no way to ever make their wrong into right.  I am so thankful that we don’t have to feel that heaviness of guilt in our heart for very long, because today God has given us the wonderful gift of forgiveness. Jesus says to us “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11.28).  By coming to Jesus, he has the power to forgive our sin and lift off the heavy burden of the guilt we might carry.  In the end of the story, the brothers get an opportunity to seek the forgiveness of their sins against Joseph and their father; in turn restoring that relationship that had been strained due to their sin. I am sure they were able to rejoice to have this heavy burden lifted off them.  Today we can experience the same rejoicing, by seeking the forgiveness we so desperately need.  It sure is much easier to live our lives for Jesus without carrying around the heavy burden of guilt.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Colors of Christmas: Green

  Discussion:                                    Evergreen plants, like holly and mistletoe have been used for thousands of years to decorate and brighten up buildings during the long dark winter. They also reminded people that spring would come and winter wouldn't last forever! The Romans would exchange evergreen branches during January as a sign of good luck. The ancient Egyptians used to bring palm branches into their houses during the mid-winter festivals. In many parts of Europe during the Middle Ages, “paradise plays” were performed, often on Christmas Eve. They told Bible stories to people who couldn't read. “The Paradise Tree” in the Garden of Eden in the play was normally a pine tree with red apples tied to it. Today, think about the newness of life we have because we are in Christ. The old man could represent the dark winter and the barren trees. Then think of the bright Christmas trees that are so easily seen! … Help brighten someone’s life this week! Inform
Read more

“Blow-out in Boston”

BIBLE READING: Luke 14 DISCUSSION                                                                                       Boston Globe's account in June 1990 of a most unusual wedding banquet… Accompanied by her fiancé, a woman went to the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Boston and ordered the meal. The two of them poured over the menu, made selections of china and silver, and pointed to pictures of the flower arrangements they liked. They both had expensive taste, and the bill came to $13,000. After leaving a check for half that amount as down payment, the couple went home to flip through books of wedding announcements. The day the announcements were supposed to hit the mailbox, the groom got cold feet. "I'm just not sure," he said. "It's a big commitment. Let's think about this a little longer." When his angry fiancé returned to the Hyatt to cancel the banquet, the manager could not have been more understanding. However, concerning the refund, she h
Read more

“Prepare for Happiness”

  DISCUSSION:                                    Just recently we have seen the devastation that can result from hurricanes, earthquakes, and fire. According to the show on National Geographic channel “Doomsday Preppers” there are a lot of people over the country stocking up on supplies in the hope of being able to survive (months) a natural disaster or power grid failure. Many agree with this philosophy. Who could argue that it is a smart idea to be prepared? As a provider we should take reasonable measures to have our family prepared for hard times both mentally and physically. In this life, Christians have something more precious to protect than material things. Preparing our souls for eternity is much more important. We have been promised a gift that nothing can compare to, a home not made with hands (2Corinthians 5:1). So even if disasters come our way, we can be sure God will take care of His children. As a Christian we have a peace of mind from our faith in God’s word and beli
Read more