Reunions & Family Drama

Message Title: Reunions & Family Drama
Theme: Made to Be
Season: Ordinary Time
Main Text: Genesis 45:1-15;
Scripture Reading: Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
RCL Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133; Isaiah 56:1, 6-8; Psalm 67; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
Focus: Joseph seeks resolution with his brothers.
Function: To consider our own conflict, our responsibility to the resolution, and taking steps to fulfill our role.
Other Notes:

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28 ²¹ From there, Jesus went to the regions of Tyre and Sidon. ²² A Canaanite woman from those territories came out and shouted, “Show me mercy, Son of David. My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.” ²³ But he didn’t respond to her at all. His disciples came and urged him, “Send her away; she keeps shouting out after us.” ²⁴ Jesus replied, “I’ve been sent only to the lost sheep, the people of Israel.” ²⁵ But she knelt before him and said, “Lord, help me.” ²⁶ He replied, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and toss it to dogs.” ²⁷ She said, “Yes, Lord. But even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall off their masters’ table.” ²⁸ Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith. It will be just as you wish.” And right then her daughter was healed.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Anyone notice that stores are starting to put out fall and Christmas decorations? Are you ready for family festivities? Or are you dreading them?
2. Family drama & holidays – I want to give you a scenario and then tell me traditionally how your family would resolve this conflict.
   Amidst the joyful chaos of the family holiday gathering, the dining table lay adorned with an elaborate feast. [Nora] couldn’t help but notice the remnants of the delicious meal scattered around, plates half-empty and napkins crumpled. Suppressing her frustration, she glanced at her cousins who were engrossed in conversation nearby, and with a forced smile, she remarked, “I guess some people just don’t care about keeping the dining area tidy, but I’m sure it doesn’t bother everyone.” She reached for a stack of plates and began clearing the table herself.
3. How would your family handle this conflict?
   1. Sweep it under the rug -Ignore- Passive?
   1. SOLVE IT RIGHT AWAY -Bulldoze – Aggressive? (issue behind the issue)
   1. Guilt trip- Passive aggressive?
   1. Enmeshment – You make me feel bad for pointing out something I’ve done that’s bad-

TRANSITION: In our text for today, Joseph is the leader of a family conflict-resolution situation.

MAIN TEXT: Genesis 45:1-15 Joseph could no longer control himself in front of all his attendants, so he declared, “Everyone, leave now!” So no one stayed with him when he revealed his identity to his brothers. ² He wept so loudly that the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s household heard him. ³ Joseph said to his brothers, “I’m Joseph! Is my father really still alive?” His brothers couldn’t respond because they were terrified before him. ⁴ Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” and they moved closer. He said, “I’m your brother Joseph! The one you sold to Egypt. ⁵ Now, don’t be upset and don’t be angry with yourselves that you sold me here. Actually, God sent me before you to save lives. ⁶ We’ve already had two years of famine in the land, and there are five years left without planting or harvesting. ⁷ God sent me before you to make sure you’d survive^[a] and to rescue your lives in this amazing way. ⁸ You didn’t send me here; it was God who made me a father to Pharaoh, master of his entire household, and ruler of the whole land of Egypt. ⁹ “Hurry! Go back to your father. Tell him this is what your son Joseph says: ‘God has made me master of all of Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t delay. ¹⁰ You may live in the land of Goshen, so you will be near me, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and everyone with you. ¹¹ I will support you there, so you, your household, and everyone with you won’t starve, since the famine will still last five years.’ ¹² You and my brother Benjamin have seen with your own eyes that I’m speaking to you. ¹³ Tell my father about my power in Egypt and about everything you’ve seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” ¹⁴ He threw his arms around his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his shoulder. ¹⁵ He kissed all of his brothers and wept, embracing them. After that, his brothers were finally able to talk to him.

EXPLAINATION:

1. Catch up the story:
   1. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. (Tamar tricks her father-in-law Judah into marrying her after 2 of her husbands die)
   1. He was bought by Pharoah’s assistant Potipher.
   1. Potipher’s wife scams Joseph and Joseph ends up in jail.
   1. In jail, Joseph grows in prominence through interpreting dreams.
   1. He interprets Pharoah’s dream and pharaoh rewards him with a high-level position
   1. Famine strikes all over but because of Joseph’s wisdom Egypt is prepared.
   1. Now his brothers, experiencing the famine in their home land, come to Egypt to look for aid. This leads them to have audience with their brother who they don’t recognize.
   1. Joseph tests their character, including imprisoning one brother, and finds changed men.
      1. The final test includes bringing his little brother Benjamin to Egypt
2. Now –
   1. The brothers have fulfilled their duties and returned with Benjamin.
   1. Joseph is overwhelmed at the sight of all of his family and reveals himself to his brothers.
   1. Joseph reinterprets his hardships as God’s provision for their family.

INTERPRETATION:

1. Joseph forgives his brothers by explaining their actions through God’s plan to provide food for Jacob’s family.
2. AUDIENCE POLL: Is it ok that Joseph forgave his brothers without his brothers asking for forgiveness?
   1. In Ch 42 – Joseph hears his brothers speaking in Hebrew about consequences for their actions of hurting Joseph and their regret. BUT they never say this to Joseph directly. Does that matter?
3. Our Scripture reading was a different Conflict resolution.
   1. It’s ok if the text makes you uncomfortable.
      1. Here are some questions to ponder: did the Canaanite woman change his mind like Moses & Abraham changed God’s mind? Was there an order of operations for the Gospel and this woman was interrupting it?
      1. Canaanites – from Cain, offspring of Adam & Eve, the original settlers of the promise land that Jews kicked out. Some texts suggest they were wiped out (Genocide) … but how could that be if this woman was here?
   1. Jesus changes his actions based on the petitions of this mother.

APPLICATION: To consider our own conflict, our responsibility to the resolution, and taking steps to fulfill our role. (are you the hurter or hurtee)

1. Jesus changes his actions after gathering more information. We are called to do better when we know better.
2. Accountability matters – a professor once suggested in class that its wrong to forgive someone who hasn’t repented…. To hold them accountable and not “let them off the hook” without consequences. It’s still something I ponder today.
   1. Some days I agree and want to see justice, other days my heart out pours mercy.
3. The role of repentance in forgiveness –
   1.  2 forms of forgiveness – internal and external.
      1. You can release someone from an expectation of healing even if you don’t express it.
      1. You can verbally express forgiveness to someone.
   1. The route of forgiveness you choose is dependent on the circumstances of the wrong.
      1. Forgiveness does not always include full reunion and restoration if the environment is no longer safe.  (situations of enabling, safety, etc)

CONCLUSION: you are responsible for you