Forgiving because we have been Forgiven

Read Genesis 50.

What a funeral procession that must have been!  Imagine the site of the high servants and leaders of Egypt, accompanying Jacob's family, traveling approximately 200 miles to the old family burial site.

Funerals are one of the occasions that should bring family and friends together.  People mourn differently.  Some immediately feel the impact of the loss and show great emotion.  Others take their time processing how they feel.  Many leaders in the family, who end up making all the arrangements, do not have time for a good cry until after everyone leaves.  Memories flood the mind of the laughter, fun and good experiences of the past.  But quite often there are divisions and regrets too.

Though Joseph forgave and treated his brothers with great generosity for years, his brothers still carried the regret for what they did to him.  They feared that Joseph had only been good to them for their father's sake and now he would seek his revenge.  They did not just ask for forgiveness, they pleaded with Joseph.  His response is one of the most remarkable signs of spiritual maturity and understanding. 

"Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?  As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."  Then he comforted them.

Such a statement demonstrated:

1. He gave God the credit for all true forgiveness.  Colossians 1:14-"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

2. He did not brush away the sin against him, but called it the evil that what it was.

3. He understood how God used that evil to help him deal with his own sin and to mature in his trust of God.  Romans 8:28-And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

4. He realized that God had used and was using those very circumstances to now meet the desperate needs of others.

5. He was able to be kind and minister to others because he had experienced the freedom of God's forgiveness.  2 Corinthians 1:3,4-"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

We can forgive because we have experienced God's love and forgiveness.  We can comfort and encourage others because the Holy Spirit has ministered to us.