Page 58 - Living Light 90

Monday November 3 - The bigger, better story!
“Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while
he opened to us the Scriptures?” Luke 24:32
The story of Joseph points to a larger, more important narrative: namely, the account of the person and work of Jesus. Essentially the Bible is telling one story: what God has done to reconcile sinners to himself through Christ. He is the subject of the Scriptures. You might remember the conversation Jesus had with his friends on the road to Emmaus after his resurrection (Luke 24:13-35), and then later that day with his disciples in the upper room (vv 36-49). He addressed their ignorance of the way of salvation by revealing from the Old Testament ‘all things concerning himself’ that related to his atoning death.
Joseph’s story has within it many of the ingredients of the gospel story: rejected by his own people, innocent suffering, false accusation, and eventual promotion to the right hand of the King. Joseph is a ‘type’ (picture) of Christ, and embedded in his story are the truths present in the message of salvation. Jesus can point back to Joseph, and others, to explain the necessary elements of his saving work. It’s important that we learn to read the Scriptures in the light of them ultimately being about Christ. As good as it is to learn moral lessons from Old Testament characters, their pointing to Christ should remind us that it’s from him, and his finished work upon the cross, that we draw life and strength.
Father, thank you that your Word tells a complete and compelling story about your Son. Help me to see and savour him there. Amen.
Tuesday November 4 - All Scripture counts!
By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the
Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. Hebrews 11:22
It’s quite remarkable that God gives more space in Genesis to the details of someone’s life, and death, than he does to the creation story itself. Clearly, this does not downplay the account of humanity’s beginnings, but it does signal how important God considers his relationship to his people to be. God’s prime objective in Genesis is to show how he will keep his promises, made to Abraham, concerning the establishment of a people for his name. As the book reaches its climax, we see the demise of both Jacob and Joseph. Before they die, both give specific instructions about their burial. The writer of Hebrews records this as a significant act of faith (Hebrews 11:21-22).
Why is this so important? Because their final resting place is to be in the land that God had promised Abraham. Their directives are essential to the moving forward and fulfilment of the Scriptures. Through successive generations the ‘promised seed of Abraham’ will eventually come, bringing ultimate blessing to the nations – the ‘Lion of Judah’, as prophesied by Jacob, who will rule forever (Genesis 49:9-10). Like his father, Joseph is also caught up in this messianic hope, making sure that he too rests with his fathers. This is a pledge of his own trust in the promise. As for the Patriarchs, the small details of our lives matter in the purposes of God. Jesus has come! May our lives always point to him.
Father, I ask that you cause my life to draw attention to, and praise for, the Saviour. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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PRAYER FOR TODAY