Joyful Reunion

~~~ Genesis 46:1-7, 28-30 ~~~ Psalm 37 ~~~ Matthew 10:16-23 ~~~

I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves;

so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.

Sheep are naive, simple, and trusting of their shepherd.

Jesus sent the apostles out, while they were still 

like innocent sheep.

When you are doing the work of the Lord 

there will be pain and suffering.

All of the family of Joseph was suffering.

His brothers can claim responsibility for instigating most of it.

They were jealous and selfish.

God promises to turn our mourning into dancing...

God did indeed turn the mourning of Joseph into joy

just to see his aging father once again.

God also brought joy into the heart of his father

at seeing Joseph once again.

Together father and son wept tears of joy.

Jesus sends out the apostles carrying his joy in their heart.

Jesus sends them out with a warning that they

 will be subjected to suffering.

He also gives them confidence to speak his message.

...do not worry about how you are to speak

or what you are to say.

You will be given at that moment what you are to say.

Joseph had this same experience when he saw standing 

before him his very own brothers.

They had not seen each other for many years now.

He had no way of searching for his beloved father.

He had no way of knowing if he was still alive.

For it will not be you who speak

but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Truly it was God who put the words into the mouth of Joseph.

God blessed Joseph, reuniting him with his father.

God led Joseph and all of his family into the land of Egypt.

He turned their mourning into dancing and joy.

God wants to do the same for you.

Whatever mourning you are currently experiencing,

turn to God he will turn it into joy.

Blessings of Joy

in the Lord.

~~~Peace~~~