Not surprisingly, the reaction of Joseph’s brothers when he first revealed his true identity to them was speechless terror. After all, they had badly mistreated him and were now at his mercy. But Joseph loved them and assured them of his forgiveness. He didn’t have to extract revenge because he firmly believed in God’s sovereign goodness. Do you see the picture of Christ that this is?


Yet when their father died nearly two decades later, we find his brothers still struggling to believe that Joseph had completely pardoned all past wrongs against him. They still hadn’t received his love or forgiveness. In fear they pronounced, “We are your slaves.” They had to be reassured that past sins were not held against them, so Joseph repeated to them, “Don’t be afraid – you are free.”


Like Joseph’s brothers, some people who claim to know Christ – adopted into God’s family, called brothers and sisters, forgiven through the cross – still act like slaves and dread His judgment. But Jesus comforts, “Don’t be afraid – you’re free!”