Whose Slave Am I Really?

After burying Jacob, Joseph returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to his father’s burial. But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said. So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said. But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them. [Genesis 50.14-21] 

If they were going to lie about what Jacob really said, why did Joseph's brothers not say that Joseph was to release them? Why did they submit themselves as slaves to Joseph?

With only a little consideration, we can see Jesus Christ presented in this story! However, we may not see Jesus the way we would wish to see Him...

First, Joseph did not force his brothers come and repent. They had sense enough to discern their vulnerability even in the midst of all the good that Egypt had been to them, recognizing the authority of their brother, Joseph.

So it is with Jesus Christ: He does not force anyone to come and bow before Him in slave-like submission. However, He has given His Word as sufficient evidence of His intentions and it is up to us to acknowledge His authority by presenting ourselves as slaves to Him.

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

The world and its religion both present a plethora of lies about God. The stories may sound good, but in the end, only full submission to Jesus Christ is the way to forgiveness, healing, and salvation. "Full submission" is the hard part though... A slave cannot have two masters... It was ONLY after Joseph's brothers genuinely asked forgiveness submitting fully (as slaves) to Joseph that Joseph reminded them of his character and therefore his intentions and blessings.

Joseph's brothers DID NOT come to Joseph and say, "IF you will bless us and be good to us, THEN we will be your slaves." Yet, sadly, this is exactly how most people approach Jesus Christ today. This is proven every time someone "gets mad at" or "questions" God - they effectively prove they expected something first before they owed God anything. We must keep the "slavery" idea front and center! We must keep Jesus' words as our only marching orders:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

There is a strong presence in the world today that has convinced its people that blessings must precede obedience. People go to Church, sit and listen to all that is said, but their only real concern is what's in it for them. This is, in fact, the only reason we have (and continually strive for) such elaborate buildings and services... elaborate not for God's glory, but in comfort to men. If people don't feel the Spirit, get healed, get their needs met, or enjoy the music, they are dissatisfied. A true slave would never even begin to consider such entitlement. Joseph's brothers approached him with no expectation except that they might live as slaves.

The "strong presence" mentioned in the previous paragraph is Satan and his ways. His ways are the ways of the world. Satan's ways are the ways of idolatry. Satan's ways of idolatry ALWAYS put man's needs above servitude to God. Any blessing from God becomes an idol when the blessing is prioritized above God Who gave it. Does God wish to provide for, protect, heal, and pamper His children? Of course He does! But when those benefits take precedence over God Who gives them, they have effectively become idols and nothing could more please Satan. 

How do God's people know that blessings have taken precedence over God Who gives them? When they pay for those blessings in binding, recurring fashion. No slave can make such a commitment except to his rightful owner.

Joseph's brothers' approach to Joseph is the only way we can approach Jesus.

Jesus said:

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. [Matthew 6.25-34]

And yet, "Jesus followers" everywhere make (and are in) binding commitments to idols for the very blessings Jesus said not to worry about... Whose slave are they really? 

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

Whose slave am I really?

Father, the reality of unchecked idolatry all around us is a staggering revelation only You can reveal. May You, through Your Word, Jesus, open our eyes and ears to the truth of whose slave we and Whose slave we should be. So be it.