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| Some in prison seem to keep their eyes on the light. |
favor in his father's sight even though he wasn't the eldest son. Yet this put him in disfavor of his brothers and they sold him as a slave.
Then he finds favor in his master Potiphar's house and was put in charge of everything. But when Potiphar's wife comes on to him, he rebuffs her until she frames him for doing the exact thing he refused to do. So he ends up in jail.
But while in prison, he gains the confidence of the chief jailor who gives him greater authority. So even as Joseph finds favor with those who have authority over him, other circumstances seem to have him spiraling downward from where he started:
Middle of the pack in his family.
Slave in a foreign household.
Prisoner in an Egyptian jail.
In the midst of his worsening conditions, Joseph doesn't have a harsh word - at least one that we hear. His main comment is in regard to doing the right thing before the Lord. And God remains with him no matter what.
Jesus had obviously found favor with God. He performs many miracles. When he is finally arrested and brought forward before Pilate, he seems to also keep his mouth shut like Joseph. This may be a quiet confidence that God remains with him.
Mark 15:2-5 states:
Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him, “You say so.” Then the chief priests accused him of many things. Pilate asked him again, “Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.” But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.
Jesus is also headed toward trouble.
Abandoned by his disciples.
Arrested by the religious guards.
Turned over to the Roman authorities.
And yet, as we believe that we haven't seen the last of Joseph, we remember that not even the cross will stop the life-giving power of Jesus.
This should lift us up when we encounter danger or difficulty in our lives. We, too, can live with a quiet confidence that God remains with us and will continue to bless us. This certainly puts things in perspective!
Grant, O God, that amidst all the discouragements, difficulties and dangers,
distress and darkness of this mortal life,
I may depend upon your mercy,
and on this build my hopes, as on a sure foundation.
Let your infinite mercy in Christ Jesus deliver me from despair,
both now and at the hour of death.
Amen.
Prayer by Thomas Wilson, Bishop, Church of England, 18th Century
Photo by Alessandro via Flickr.com. Used under the Creative Commons license.
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