Forgiveness Leaves no Room for Vengeance!

17th Sunday after Pentecost, 10/9/11
Genesis 50:15-21


Forgiveness Leaves no Room for Vengeance!
I. It cherishes the grace of God.
II. It mimics the actions of God.


Perhaps you’ve heard that revenge is a dish that’s best served cold.

Someone else once said, “He who takes revenge is like the bee, which by stinging others loses not only its sting but often also its life.”

It’s true, isn’t it? The person who lives to seek revenge often loses their life. All happiness and contentment are gone. There is no positive purpose to their life. Love slowly seeps out of their hearts until none is left. And when they get their revenge, what really has been accomplished? Only the ruin of another life.

How much better to be able to forgive and to forgive completely! But that’s the difficult part, even for us who have gathered here today. To forgive completely can be difficult at times because the hurt we feel runs deep.

The hurt could have run deep in Joseph’s heart. Who would have faulted Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, if vengeance had become a good part of his life? But that’s not what we hear at all from his words as recorded by Moses in Genesis 50. Instead, his words breathe an air of loving forgiveness and genuine Christian concern. Joseph had the ability to forgive completely. And once he had done that, there was no room for vengeance.

As Christians, we strive to possess, display and extend that same forgiveness. But there are times that we struggle. And thus we need the reminder and the encouragement that forgiveness leaves no room for vengeance. May the Holy Spirit gives us such a forgiving heart as he works in us through this portion of God’s word this morning.

Part I.

Many of us recall the story of Joseph and the special coat he received from his father. We also recall how much his brothers hated him because he was their father’s favorite son and what his brothers did to him. They were plotting to kill him but changed their minds and sold him into slavery. He was falsely imprisoned but then received from God the ability to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams about the 7 years of abundant crops followed by the 7 years of famine. In return, Pharaoh elevated Joseph to the second in command in all of Egypt.

That sounds like a rags-to-riches story, but actually it didn’t happen overnight and, remember, Joseph didn’t ask for any of this to happen. In a way, his brothers had ruined this young man’s life. He was forcefully separated from his beloved father, Jacob, and his brother, Benjamin, for years. His hateful brothers had stolen all that from him. Yes, he was enjoying life now, but he had suffered much for a long time. And it was completely the fault of his 10 brothers.

Fast forward several decades. Joseph’s father, Jacob, died. He was no longer there to influence the behavior of his sons. And this was the thought filled their minds, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” They figured it was pay-back time. And who wouldn’t think that way? After all, it was a perfect storm for vengeance to strike. Their father was dead and could do nothing to stop Joseph. Joseph had all the power in Egypt to take revenge. With a single command, he could order it to be done and no questions would be asked. And the brothers admitted they deserved it. They had done something terrible. Sure, decades ago they had admitted their guilt to Joseph and had heard his forgiving words then, but who could forgive so completely? They wouldn’t be so ready to do so if they were in Joseph’s place.

So they offered to do the only thing they could think of. Our text says, “His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. ‘We are your slaves,’ they said.” They offered Joseph their servitude if only he would spare their lives. In short, they were willing to try to appease what they assumed was Joseph’s vengeful spirit with the offer of their most prized possessions—their lives.

But they failed to know their brother Joseph. You see, Joseph knew the grace of God. Let me explain. Joseph knew that he was a sinner just like his brothers. In fact, he may have recalled that he fostered their hatred of him by telling them his dreams about ruling over them. While we don’t hear of Joseph’s sins, no doubt they occurred daily just as ours do. Joseph knew them all too well. But he also knew the grace of God. He knew that his God was the God of full and free forgiveness, the God who was slow to anger and abounding in love for sinners. He was the God who had promised to send a Savior into the world using Joseph and his 11 brothers who would become the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph knew that he was unconditionally forgiven by God.

And he also knew the truth of the words that we speak today in the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” The gift of God’s full forgiveness to us on a daily basis leads us to forgive others on a daily basis no matter what their sins against us are. When we’re called on to forgive the relatively few sins that others commit against us, God calls on us to recall the innumerable sins he has forgiven us. And when we do that, then revenge is out of the picture.

Forgiveness leaves no room for vengeance. It cherishes the grace of God.

It’s evident that Joseph cherished the grace of God. How about you? Well, we like to think that we do. After all, we made the effort to be here this morning to receive the grace of God in word and sacrament. And that’s a good thing. But there are times when we don’t appreciate God’s grace…like when we find it difficult to forgive someone. Maybe a better way of saying that is when we’re holding a grudge, even just a tiny one. They’ve wronged us by what they said or did or by what they didn’t say or didn’t do and while we don’t hate them for it, we can’t think of anything good any longer to say to them or about them. After all, they can’t even recognize how they’ve wronged us. So, while we don’t actively plot to get our revenge, we also don’t have any plans to offer them a forgiving heart. That’s a form of vengeance and forgiveness leaves no room for vengeance. A heart without vengeance is a heart that knows and believes the only reason our God forgives us is because he is loving and gracious. He forgives us freely. His Son died on the cross for your sins and mine even before we had committed a single one. And when we recall how our God has forgiven us, then he also gives us a forgiving heart toward others. That’s a heart full of love, a heart with no room for vengeance.

Part II.

Famous people are often asked, “Who is your hero?” or, “Who has been the greatest influence on your life?” The answers often offered are a parent or a teacher or another famous artist or athlete. But on occasion, a very rare occasion, you might read or hear someone answer that question with, “Jesus Christ.” And for a Christian, isn’t that the truth? We want to be like Jesus. We want to do the things that Jesus does. We want to be as loving and truthful as he is.

We see Joseph doing that very thing in his dealings with his brothers. The most obvious Christ-like activity is the way he forgave his brothers. It’s apparent that he had done so even before they had asked him to. How Christ-like is that?! He wanted them to know with all their heart and mind that he didn’t bear any grudges against them. Notice what our text says, “When their message came to him, Joseph wept.” He realized that their past sins against him still were a wedge in their relationship with him, so much so, that they couldn’t even speak to him directly about it, so they sent a message to him. But he had already forgiven them completely and wanted to assure them of it.

Furthermore, Joseph knew that if there were to be any consequences for their sins, that was up to God. He rhetorically asked them, “Am I in the place of God?” The Lord God said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” (Dt. 32:35). Joseph knew that his job was not to see to it that his brothers paid for their sins. Rather, his job was to forgive them from his heart, fully. That’s Christ-like.

In fact, Joseph knew that his God called on him to speak and act kindly toward his brothers. Listen to what Joseph told them, “‘So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” Amazing, isn’t it? After all they had done to him, who would have faulted Joseph if he had told them, “Now that dad is dead, you’re on your own. I don’t care if I never speak to you again”? But that wouldn’t be Christ-like, would it?

In short, Joseph placed the entire matter into the hands of his God. Joseph saw God’s hand in what had happened to him. He told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” It didn’t happen quickly, but God used the wicked actions of his brothers to accomplish some tremendous blessings for countless people. The same thing happened with our Savior. Wicked men crucified him. But Jesus placed his life into the hands of his Father and his Father used his crucifixion as the greatest blessing for all people.

And that’s what happens when forgiveness leaves no room for vengeance. It allows us to mimic the actions of God.

Our Lord Jesus knows how hard it is for us to forgive others the way he did. In fact, he knows it’s impossible for us. But that’s why he came to this earth—to perfectly forgive others in our place and to die for our sins in our place. That was his astounding love for us in action. That love now fills our hearts and from that love flows the ability to mimic the actions of our God in loving those who sin against us. May our God empower you to show that kind of forgiveness and Christian love toward others! Amen.

You Are a Leader for Christ!

16th Sunday after Pentecost, Stewardship Sunday #3, 10/2/11
Joshua 1:6-9


You Are a Leader for Christ!
I. Trust his promises.
II. Know how to lead.


No doubt you know that in our worship today we’re talking about leadership. And the mere mention of the world fills us with mixed emotions, doesn’t it? Throughout our lives we’ve admired good, strong leaders. Our study of history in school often focused on such admirable people. Today we look for good leaders in government and business. Social and charitable organizations depend on good leaders. In our more wistful moments, we even imagine ourselves as such good and effective leaders.

But when the opportunity to lead actually presents itself, we hesitate. Do we really want to get involved at this level? Do we have the time? What will such leadership cost us? What, if any, will be the rewards? Isn’t there someone else who could do a better job?

I imagine all those thoughts and more flooded the mind and heart of Joshua as the Lord spoke these words of our text to him. And notice that God wasn’t asking him if he wanted to lead his people. He was telling Joshua, “You’re the man! You are a leader.” We don’t hear anything about allowing Joshua the opportunity to consider declining this opportunity.

You, too, are a leader. It may not be in great ways, but it’s leadership nonetheless. Rather than shrinking away from it or resisting it, let’s embrace it. You are a leader for Christ! Let’s investigate that truth a little further as we ponder these words of our God and the opportunities for leadership that he presents to us.

Part I.

You recall Joshua, don’t you? About 40 years prior to the day in our text the Lord had led his people out of slavery in Egypt. A short time later, the Israelites were attacked by the Amalekites, and it was Joshua who commanded Israel’s army and led them to victory. Joshua had been a close assistant to Moses for four decades. He accompanied Moses at least part way up Mt. Sinai when Moses received the commandments from the Lord. Joshua was one of the 12 spies who went into the Promised Land to check it out and was one of only two spies who trusted the Lord and proclaimed that, indeed, Israel could conquer the people who lived in it. Because of that, Joshua was one of only two who escaped the Lord’s judgment on the people. All those 20 years old or more perished in the wilderness during the next 40 years. And throughout those years, Joshua was faithfully serving God’s people at the side of Moses.

But everything changed for Joshua on the day the Lord spoke these words to him. You see, Moses had just died. Moses. The one who had led Israel right up to the gates of the Promised Land not once but twice. Moses, the one who wrote the first 5 books of the Bible. Moses, the one who saw the glory of the Lord and spoke with the Lord like no one before him and no one since. Moses, the one who performed miracles by the power of the Lord. Moses, the one whose face once radiated the glory of the Lord.

And now the Lord was placing the mantle of leadership on Joshua. Do you know how difficult it is to replace a great leader? Few succeed. And who remembers them? We all recall the first president of the United States, but how many of us can name the second? Who coached the Green Bay Packers after Vince Lombardi? It’s tough to follow a great leader. No doubt Joshua felt more than a little pressure. These were huge sandals to fill. Was he up to the task? Did he have what it takes? The Israelites often resisted Moses’ leadership, as great as he was. How would they respond to Joshua?

But the Lord doesn’t discuss these things with Joshua. Instead, he says, “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous.” These people numbered about 2 million. Did Joshua have what it would take not only to lead them into the Promised Land but also to conquer it? Would he be a good leader? What if the people wouldn’t listen to him? What if he messed up?

The Lord takes his mind off these pressing questions, and directs Joshua back to him and his word. He reminds Joshua that he had promised to give this land to Joshua’s forefathers—meaning Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. What God promises he must deliver. Joshua can count on that as he now leads these people. In other words, the Lord was calling on Joshua to trust him and therefore to be brave and courageous.

That’s what it takes to be a leader for Christ. It takes trust in him not in yourself. You see, that’s our natural inclination. We look in at ourselves and place a sinful confidence in our own abilities or worthiness. We think more of ourselves than we ought. Or the other extreme takes place. We look in at ourselves and become convinced that we have nothing to offer, as if God hasn’t gifted us at all. The solution to both of these pitfalls to leadership is the promises of God. He was faithful to his greatest promise in sending us a Savior who won our forgiveness and our eternal life by his life and his death on the cross. That Savior made us his own by faith in him and has gifted us to serve him faithfully. That service often involves leading others, sometime demonstrably, sometimes quietly. And as we do so, we can be confident of God’s blessings because that’s what he promised. You see, our God never asks from us something he hasn’t already given us. When he calls on us to lead, he doesn’t ask us to do so alone. We’re leading with him. His presence and power are with us always. You are a leader for Christ. As you lead, trust in his promises to you!

Part II.

OK. So our God calls us leaders for Christ. But how should we lead? The Lord discussed that very thing with Joshua. He said, “Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” In short, the Lord tells him, “Be in the word of God. Read it. Study it. Meditate on it.”

The Lord tells us the same thing as we take up the mantle of leadership. There are countless books out there on leadership. I’m sure many of you have read more than a couple of them. But when leading God’s people, there’s only one book that counts, because it’s the only book that comes from the mouth of the Lord. That’s this book, the Bible. To be a leader for Christ that’s the only place we need to look for guidance when we need to know how to lead. That’s the only place we need to look for the motivation to lead. That’s the only place we need to look for forgiveness when we’ve failed to lead properly. That’s the place to look to strengthen our faith and to find the faith to lead God’s people in the way we should go.

But maybe you’re saying to yourself. “But I’m not a leader. I’m a follower.” Really? Are you always a follower? If you’re a husband and a father, God has already made you a leader in your family. You should be leading, not following. And if you’re a wife or mother, you’re leading, too. I hope and pray you’ve led your children to their Savior, Jesus Christ and that you continue to do so. And when your husband needs encouragement or correction from God’s word, I hope you take the lead in providing it in a God-pleasing way. If you’re single, there are all sorts of people in your life that need you to lead them into the truths of God’s word from time to time. Even if you’re a child, you can lead as you give a Christian example and offer a Christian outlook to your friends and others. My point is, even though you may not think of yourself as a leader, there are times every day in your life in which you are. And what a blessing to others that you are a leader for Christ! Your loving God equips you for that very service through his word, the very same word that he commanded Joshua to read, to study, to know.

You are a leader for Christ! Know how to lead. That knowledge comes through God’s word.

In a little more than a year, our country’s voters will elect our nation’s leader for the next four years. I suppose that, as a child, many of us considered serving one day as the President of the United States of America. But I’ll bet few us of, if any of us, still consider it anymore. To be honest, it’s about the last job I would want. The criticism is relentless. Take a look at a picture of our presidents on the day they entered office and the day they left it and how much older they look. The position takes a huge toll on those who serve.

In a sinful world, that’s the way it is with leadership. It’s not easy. Jesus was the world’s greatest and only perfect leader and look how his own people treated him. You, too, are a leader. And when you lead, don’t think that everyone is going to simply fall in line and follow your every move and agree with every decision you make. There will be trouble. And sometimes it’s our own fault. We haven’t been the leaders we should be. We’ve been lazy or unconcerned. Leading has become more about us than it is about the people we’re leading. And when those sins and a host of others appear, know how to lead! Go to God’s word and hear his promise of forgiveness. Ask for forgiveness. The words, “I’m sorry; please forgive me,” are some of the most powerful leadership words ever spoken. And in that same word of God you’ll find the motivation to forgive the sins of those whom you are leading. That motivation is found in Christ who forgave the ones who refused his leadership and nailed him to the cross as he was dying for their sins. The world’s sins. Your sins and mine. That forgiving love and mercy of Jesus empower us to take up the mantle of leadership and be a leader for Christ.

You are a leader for Christ! Instead of hesitating, accept it out of love for Christ. Look for the possibilities in your life to lead others in a God-pleasing way. It’s one of the many ways that we use what we are to the glory of our Savior. That’s Christian stewardship. Different gifts, same grace. May the Lord richly bless your efforts to lead others to him! Amen.