The great power of forgiveness
(Gen. 50:15-17)


People in the world live exchanging wounds back and forth. It's hard to forgive those who give us wounds. However, it is worth to forgive others. Let us think the great power of forgiveness through taking an example of Joseph who forgave his brothers who sold him as a slave.

1. Joseph's getting hurt

Joseph had a life with various wounds. He was sold as salve by his brothers who hated him. He was abandoned when he was 17 years old so that he may get wounds. And he was imprisoned because of false accusation made by the wife of Potiphar. Also, the chief cupbearer who had promised Joseph to be released from the prison, did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. However, he forgave everyone after he became the prime minister of Egypt. As he was accompanied with God, he overcame his past bitterness. When we walk along God, God will give us greater comfort in our hearts than wounds we have had.

2. Joseph's forgiveness

The brothers of Joseph came to him and asked him to forgive them after their father's death. Joseph already forgave his brothers by getting rid of hatred. He was not chained by the past wounds. Instead, he walked with God with positive attitude and faithful thanksgiving. When we have a life of forgiveness, we can get out of the wounds and enjoy the freedom. Jesus showed the real forgiveness through his love embracing sinners on the cross. This forgiveness is not to be done with our wisdom and moral. It will be done with the power of the Holy Spirit. To forgive others, we should remember that we are forgiven and should come before the cross to restore the grace of God.

3. The grace of God

The way that we aren't frustrated by wounds and forgive others depends on the strong faith toward the plan of God. The brothers' selling Joseph as a slave is a big plan of God to save a lot of people's lives. Joseph realized God's plan so he could forgive his brothers. Sometimes, the bad intentions of people are included into the bigger plan of God. The cross of Jesus is the same case. The Satan nailed Jesus with the bad intention, while God allowed us to be saved through the cross of Jesus. Once we had to be dead as sinners, but now we are saved by the grace of God. We should love and forgive each other, remembering the grace we've got. We will have a life to overcome evil with good by remembering the grace of God and showing the favor to enemies.