Old Testament reading: Genesis 41-42
“You can’t keep a good man down.” Despite being forgotten in prison by Pharaoh’s butler (Gen 40:23), God’s providential hand is again revealed. Two years following his release according to Joseph’s word (40:13-14, 20-21), the butler “remembered his faults” when Pharaoh could not find an interpreter for his dream. Joseph was summoned from prison to tell Pharaoh his dream. So impressed was the monarch that Joseph was exalted even higher than when he served Potiphar, to the extent that Pharaoh said, “only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you” (41:40). Joseph also took a wife during this time, and to him were two sons born: Manasseh and Ephraim (Gen 41:50-52). The names of his boys reflect both the pain and prosperity of Joseph’s life. Mannaseh means “Making Forgetful,” as Joseph said that ‘God has made to forget the pain associated with my father’s house.’ Ephraim means “Fruitfulness,” as Joseph said, “God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” What a marvelous testimony to Joseph, that in all things he was made to see the goodness of God!
New Testament reading: Mark 5-6
Jesus, the Sovereign Servant. Each gospel account was written to a specific audience or for a specific purpose. Matthew presents Jesus to a Jewish audience as “the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matt 1:1). Mark’s was a Roman audience, as he sometimes interspersed Latin words into his text. Romans respected authority, and today’s reading reveals Jesus’ power and authority in a number of areas that would have certainly gained their attention. In Mark 4:35-41 and 6:45-52 we see Jesus exercising authority over nature – the wind and the sea. We see his power over demons, a shadow of his power over eternity (5:1-20). We see Jesus exercise his power over death as he raised Jairus’ daughter (5:21-43). In Mark 5:25-34 and in 6:53-56 we see Him exercise authority over disease. Finally, Jesus performed a great miracle in the feeding of the 5000 (6:30-52). However, in every case, Jesus does not use his authority to conquer or dominate others, but instead He used His power to serve others. What a contrast to the authorities of the day, particularly the Caesars! Jesus lived to serve.
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