Sunday, September 13, 2026

Scriptures: Genesis 50:15- 21; Matthew 18:21-35

Sermon title: “The courage to forgive”

1. Context

Joseph’s story begins with dreams of greatness and his father Jacob’s special love, which caused jealousy among his brothers. Their jealousy turned to hatred, and they sold Joseph into slavery and deceived Jacob into believing he had died (Genesis 37). In Egypt, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph after refusing to sin against God, and he was thrown into prison (Genesis 39). In prison, Joseph’s gift of interpreting dreams eventually brought him before Pharaoh. He interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams as seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine and proposed a plan to prepare for it. Pharaoh recognized God’s wisdom in Joseph and appointed him to oversee the food supply, making him the second most powerful man in Egypt (Genesis 40-41). When the famine came, Joseph’s brothers traveled to Egypt for food. They did not recognize Joseph, but he recognized them. Instead of taking revenge, Joseph revealed himself, welcomed his brothers, and invited the entire family to Egypt. Although he had the power to punish them, Joseph chose mercy and reconciliation. After many years, Jacob died.

2. They feared Joseph’s revenge

Our reading begins with Joseph’s brothers realizing that their father Jacob was dead. They feared that Joseph might now take revenge for what they had done to him. With Jacob gone, they felt exposed and vulnerable, wondering if Joseph had only spared them out of respect for their father. Without their father’s protection, they felt completely exposed to the consequences of their past actions. Joseph’s brothers had sold their own brother into slavery, and although many years had passed, their guilt remained. In their time, revenge was often seen as justified. Joseph was now the second most powerful man in Egypt and had the authority to punish them. The brothers must have wondered, “Will Joseph finally turn against us?”

3. From betrayal to forgiveness

Out of fear, Joseph’s brothers went to him to resolve the matter. They reminded Joseph of their father’s final instruction, perhaps hoping that mentioning Jacob would soften Joseph’s heart. Interestingly, they said “your father” rather than “our father,” showing how guilt and fear had created distance between them. Though they were brothers by blood, their relationship had been broken for many years.

The Bible does not record Jacob giving his sons a direct instruction to reconcile with Joseph. If Jacob had known about their betrayal, he could have approached Joseph himself. Instead, the brothers came to ask for forgiveness. For the first time, they openly acknowledged their sin. They did not minimize what they had done but confessed their crime, sin, and evil and asked Joseph to forgive them. Their words reveal that guilt had remained with them for many years. Joseph had already shown that he had forgiven his brothers. He brought them from Canaan to Egypt, provided them with food and a place to live, and did everything he could to care for them.

4. God meant it for good

When Joseph heard his brothers asking for forgiveness, “Joseph wept.” His tears may have come from the pain of remembering the past, seeing his brothers’ fear, or grieving the recent death of his father, Jacob. His brothers continued to plead for mercy. They wept and bowed before Joseph, acknowledging their weakness and even offering themselves as his slaves. Yet Joseph did not use his power to punish them. Instead, he said, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God?”

Joseph understood that God was in control of his life and that justice belongs to God. He did not deny the evil or pain caused by his brothers. Forgiveness did not mean that what they did was acceptable. But Joseph recognized that their evil did not have the final word, God did. What his brothers intended for harm, God used for good, preserving Joseph’s family and many others during the famine. When we experience hurt, betrayal, disappointment, or situations we do not understand, we may not yet see God’s purpose. But our pain, betrayal, and disappointment are not the end of our story. God can still bring a new beginning.

5. Conclusion

Beloved in Christ, all of us have been hurt by someone’s words or actions. If we hold on to resentment, bitterness, and anger, we may end up suffering the most. Bitterness keeps us trapped in the pain of the past, but forgiveness sets us free to receive and share God’s grace. We may never understand why we were treated unfairly, but Jesus understands our suffering. He was rejected, suffered, and died for us. When we forgive, we release the desire for revenge and allow God’s grace to bring healing and peace

Today, I want you to think of one person, someone you have struggled to forgive, someone whose name still brings pain or anger. Name that person in your heart, release the bitterness, and choose forgiveness.

May God give us grace to forgive, heal our wounded hearts, and free us from bitterness. May God help us, as people who have received mercy, to freely extend mercy to others. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.