February 1, 2022

The Greatness of Grace
​
Genesis 45:25–28 (ESV)

So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. And they told him, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Sometimes I get angry when I read things. Usually when I glance at news headlines, I see some of the mistreatments or injustices taking place around the world. Sometimes it is over things people post on social media, or the way we respond by attacking one another in the responses.

Sometimes I get angry when I read the Bible. No, really....I do. And it's not a "good" angry. Not one of those angry at an injustice or mistreatment of others. Not angry at people who are rebelling against God or trying to downplay His greatness. No, unfortunately it is one of the "dumber" angries. The selfish angries. The angries where God gently comes in and gives a reminder of how much I really need Him.

The passage above is near the end of the story of Joseph in Genesis. If you're not familiar with the whole story, you should really take time to read it. The entire story can be found in Genesis chapters 37-50. Basically, Joseph is hated by his brothers, so they sell him into slavery, and come back to tell their father that Joseph has been killed by a wild animal. I know, right! That's something to be angry about.

But it wasn't that. As I read this passage I got angry. Angry because the brothers told their father "Joseph is alive" and that he is a ruler in Egypt. And I thought, "Wait a minute! Why don't you tell your dad what really happened? These guys need to confess to their crimes! They intended to kill their brother, then sold him into slavery, and have lied to their father for years about it and.....and....and.....they don't have to confess the truth to their father!! It's not fair! It's not right! Where is the justice!!!"

See what I mean...dumb angry. But it was at that moment God stepped into my heart and mind and reminded me of grace. Take a deep breath in and out really slowly then say that word again.....grace.

It was God's grace that reminded me I don't always confess every single thing I have done wrong. It was God's grace that reminded me that I'm not the one in charge here. It was God that whispered in my ear that morning, "Brian, my grace is big enough to cover you and to cover this situation...I've got it all under control." It was God's grace that reminded me how desperately I need God's grace in my life.

And as I sat pondering all these things and letting God work in my heart and mind, I was reminded of an old song we sing in church:

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt
Yonder on Calvary's mount out poured
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt

Grace, grace, God's grace
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within
Grace, grace, God's grace
Grace that is greater than all of our sin

I recently read an article that talked about how Jesus never used the word grace (It's really true, I checked. In fact the word grace is only used three times in all the Gospels, and all those are in John chapter one writing about Jesus). But it is also true that Jesus didn't need to speak the word "grace." He lived it, embodied it, displayed it, and gave it out. If you don't believe me, ask the people who had demons cast out, the centurion whose child was healed, the woman caught in adultery and thrown at his feet, the tax collectors and sinners he had dinner with, the lepers he physically touched, and on and on and on.

We could go on and on talking about God's grace, but let's wrap it up with this: Where do you need God's grace right now? How do you need to be overwhelmed by the love and mercy of our great God and Savior? Take another deep breath in and out slowly and stop right now and just tell God: "God, I need your grace in my life here....."

Second, like Jesus, as we are filled and overwhelmed by God's grace, where are some changes you need to make to be a more gracious person? What is one thing you will start doing (or stop doing) in order to live out God's grace to those around you? Don't worry about the how or if it's possible. If God's grace is greater than all of our sin, His grace is also greater than our failures and inadequacies to live out His grace for others to be blessed.

I'll close with this lyric from Rich Mullins song, "Let mercy lead": Let mercy lead, let love be the strength in your legs, and in every footprint that you leave there'll be a drop of grace..."

Go in grace and be a blessing to others as you enjoy the greatness of God's grace.

- Pastor Brian