Genesis 45:15

New International Version (NIV)

And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

Meditation

I can see him clearly now, because I have come to understand the power of forgiveness.

The men who subjected him to the worst humiliation and cruelty stood before him. Joseph had the power and authority to retaliate in any way he fancied, but he didn’t. Rather, he embraced and kissed his brothers (Gen. 45:15). Tears of vindication and remorse flowed between them. Joseph knew what God had done through their wickedness to him, so his heart and mind stayed on Him instead of the brothers. “It was not you who sent me here, but God” (8).

That’s the beauty of a forgiving heart. Maintaining a God-focused posture in every situation allows us to pity and forgive our worst adversaries. It frees us to see how God can use unpleasant circumstances for our favor and vindicate us in the eyes of offenders (Rm. 8:28). Our heart is liberated to forgive and embrace the offender.

It is a portrait of Christ and us at the foot of the cross – the aroma of mercy and grace in forgiveness and our salvation.

1. So, who has offended you?
2. How painful has the experience been?
3. Can you open your heart to Christ, and hear His cry of mercy from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk. 23:34)?
4. Can you visualize the moment He embraced you at the foot of the cross where your sins were forgiven?
5. Do you remember the relief and joy that filled your heart when grace lifted you from the dominion of darkness into His kingdom of light (Col. 1:13)?

I pray that in the same spirit, you can give the same gift to the one you have vowed never to forgive, and exhibit the love of God through Christ Jesus to them.

So: May you experience the healing power of forgiveness in your own life and its beauty in the face of the forgiven.

Let the celebration begin (Lk. 15:24).

Shalom