Readings: Genesis 41:14-45, Psalms 24, 29, 8, 84, Romans 6:3-14, John 5:19-24
Today we read about Joseph in the book Genesis: he is a prototype
of Jesus. The brothers of Joseph hate his dreams and want to kill him.
The religious leaders of Jesus’ people fear his ministry and want Rome
to kill him. Joseph moves from being the especially loved son of his
father to a despised brother and then to a falsely accused person thrown
into the pit by his Egyptian master Potiphar. Jesus, the beloved son of
his Father, is thrown into the pit of unjust arrest, brutality by his
Roman guards, crucifixion and the dark tomb.
Joseph is taken from the pit into which his brothers threw him when
one brother, Reuben, intercedes to save his life. Later Joseph is
lifted from another pit when God helps him interpret Pharaoh’s dreams.
This wins Joseph his freedom and ultimately gains him a place of honor.
In Scripture the pit is a place of darkness, abandonment, and often
despair. Psalm 88: 4,5,19 “I am counted among those who go down to the
pit; I have become like one who has no strength. My friend and my
neighbor you have put away from me, and darkness is my only companion.”
We may have found ourselves at difficult times in our lives.
Looking back, we may remember who helped us out of its darkness into a
place of light and hope. What groups of people or individuals do we know
who may be at the bottom of a dark pit? How might we be present to them
or even help them move from their distress?
(Janice M. Schuyler)
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