This young man's siblings hated him! They were so jealous of his relationship with their father that they faked his death and sold him into slavery. As a slave, he was falsely accused of rape, and was thrown into prison and forgotten about... (See Genesis, Chapters 37, 39-50.)

If anyone had a right to become bitter and angry over something they had no control over, I think it would be safe to say Joseph had that right. His brothers beat him and sold him into slavery, where he languished for years. However, Joseph didn't give in to bitterness. Instead, he let God turn his horrible circumstances into something great (See Genesis 50:20). Holding on to bitterness often ends up hurting us and making us miss out on the good that God has for us.

  

Many people, even Christians, withdraw rather than seek purpose in the place they find themselves. They victimize others, thinking they have a right to the bitterness they cherish in their hearts, ignoring the fact that they are hurting themselves and others. Their entire situation gets turned inward, growing more and more angry as they convince themselves that no one could possibly understand.

  

Friends, the pain is real and the hurt is very personal. However, we have a choice because of the cross; it can either be evil that remains evil or it can be turned around by God to bring something that is good. Jesus Himself says we will face trials of many kinds. Yet He tells us to take heart, for HE has overcome. There is so much in this world that is truly meant for evil, and sadly we will suffer as a result of that evil. But we do not have to allow the evil to hurt us to the point of permanently stealing our joy. We do not have to allow the evil to imprison us in an eternal withdrawal and disillusionment. There is a victory that can come out of the worst circumstances, and a joy that can radiate from a wounded heart. This is all because God can take what some mean for evil and use it to accomplish greater things.

  

Jesus is the greater Joseph. No one was more grievously sinned against than Jesus. He deserved none of the violence He experienced. If anyone had a right to get angry, and be bitter and vengeful, it was Jesus.

  

How did Jesus survive in suffering? First Peter 2:23 gives the answer: "When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly." In other words, Jesus had faith in the future grace of God's righteous judgment. He did not need to avenge Himself for all the dishonor He suffered, because He trusted God with His very life, all of it. In fact, He left vengeance in God's hands and prayed for His enemies' forgiveness. (Luke 23:34; Rom.12:17-21).

  

Peter gives this glimpse into Jesus's faith so that we may learn how to live this way ourselves. He said, "You have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps" (1 Peter 2:21).

  

If Christ conquered bitterness and vengeance by faith in future grace (Heb12:1-2), how much more can we, since we have far less to murmur about, and we have His resurrection as a guarantee of coming vindication.

Pastor Garret

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