READING FOR JUNE 4, 2024: GENESIS 45, MARK 14, PSALM 49:10-19                                             GENESIS 45 Judah’s speech was so moving it touches the reader today. How could it not have been overwhelmingly stirring for Joseph, who lived the consequences of what the speech described? At this moment, the charade could continue no longer. Joseph opens up factually, emotionally, and privately in front of his brothers. Do we have friends or family with whom we can do this?  The brothers’ initial reaction was not joy, but terror. One writer thinks this is a preview of what the Jews’ initial reaction will be when the veil (2 Cor.3:14) is removed, enabling them to see Jesus for who He is: “I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn” (Zechariah 12:10).

Most of us have some misbehavior in our history that we would not want known by anyone, let alone by someone who wields enormous power over us. Happily, for the brothers, Joseph had matured into a man of great faith; they needn’t had worried. Happily, for us, the God in whom we have faith loves us completely despite knowing all about us. If we know Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we can safely live in His love and forgiveness. Trust Him in scary times. 

Joseph, obviously wise far beyond his years, was able to see how God had orchestrated his bumpy road to power in order to save his family from starvation. What even Joseph could not foresee is how God used Israel’s 400 years in the Goshen region of Egypt to keep them as a distinctive people, unassimilated with the pagan tribes of Canaan. If even Joseph could not fathom God’s total plans for bringing good out of evil, might we consider that God is doing something bigger and better with us than is apparent? 

When the brothers returned to inform Jacob, it says he didn’t believe them. Remember that for many years he was under the impression that Joseph was killed by a vicious animal. He even saw the evidence of Joseph’s blood-stained (pre-DNA testing) tunic. A reasonable person who bases his or her beliefs on available evidence will not and should not change those beliefs unless confronted with stronger evidence to the contrary. This is also true today for those hearing the Gospel yet hold honest doubts. What changed Jacob’s mind? It was the testimony from the brothers regarding Joseph’s words and seeing the wagons sent from Egypt that “revived his spirit.”  It was a good thing he believed the truth. Otherwise, he would have died of starvation. What will change the minds of unbelieving loved ones and prevent them from perishing? Our personal testimony is needed, along with our pointing to Jesus. He is the wagon the Father sent to rescue those who are perishing: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

READING FOR JUNE 4, 2024 CONTINUED: MARK 14, PSALM 49:10-19                                      MARK 14 This chapter begins with two related, but vastly different, juxtaposed scenes. One is with the chief priests and scribes in what seems like the corner office. The other is Jesus at the home of a leper. What were the living conditions of lepers? “As for the person who has the leprous infection, his clothes shall be torn and the hair of his head shall be uncovered, and he shall cover his mustache and call out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ He shall remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection; he is unclean. He shall live alone; he shall live outside the camp” (Lev. 13:45-46). Not a plus environment. 

It is rarely the case that conspiring in secret represents a wholesome activity, no matter how politically or religiously connected the people are. It is always better to associate humbly with the underdogs focusing on kindness. Both meetings related to the upcoming cross. The Jewish leadership planned the ultimate shameful act, as Jesus expressed to Pilate in John 19:11: “He who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.” At the other meeting a suspicious woman per- formed a loving act that Jesus connected with sharing the Gospel in Mark 14:9: “Wherever the gospel is preached in the entire world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her.” We all fit into one of these two categories: “The one who is not with Me is against Me” (Matt. 12:30).          As the Bible and our own lives as Jesus followers repeatedly demonstrate, whenever Jesus gives directions, such as to His disciples preparing for Passover, whatever He says will happen. Also, as our lives demonstrate, whenever we learn disappointing news (the coming betrayal of Jesus), our major concern is how it might affect us, not the innocent victim. 

A position that this writer advocates is the bread and wine represent Jesus’s body and blood but don’t become them. It said they all partook, apparently including Jesus. Wouldn’t it be strange if Jesus was eating and drinking Himself. Jesus often spoke in figures of speech: raise the temple in three days, Peter as Satan, visiting Him in prison, John the Baptist as Elijah, etc. 

With space diminishing rapidly, some last thoughts adding to what was discussed in Matthew:

• Notice how excruciating the prayer of Jesus is; it reminds us of some tormented Psalms of David. 
• Remember we mentioned that the unbelieving and world-famous Bible professor Bart Ehrman said that Jesus never claimed to be God in Mark. Once again Dr. Ehrman is wrong. (Read Mark 14: 61-64.)
• We are hard on Peter, but do we always identify as Christians or ever deny HIm in front of others?

PSALM 49:10-19 We all fall into one of two categories. (Note: Sheol is the place of death). 

• Foolish People. These are people who live totally for earthly successes, such as wealth and recognition. They falsely believe they will never experience physical decline and that their comfortable lifestyle will never end. Those who aren’t rich and famous but envy those who are also are foolish. All these folks will soon die and be consumed forever: “Their form shall be for Sheol to consume” (Psalm 49:14).
• Upright People. These are the redeemed people: “God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol” (vs.15). This happens today through faith in the work of Jesus: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us on a tree... in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Gal.3:13-15).