When we last left the story Joseph was trying his hardest to keep up the front and be hard on his brothers but as Genesis 45 opens Joseph can’t take it any longer. He sends his staff away and lets his brothers know who he is. He is so happy that everyone around can hear his weeping.

Joseph’s brothers are not so happy to see him as he is them, perhaps because they know what they did. They see how successful and powerful Joseph is and are worried he might punish them for the harm they caused him.

On the contrary Joseph reassures them. He says that they are not to blame for sending him to Egypt, rather God is responsible for putting him here so that he can save them.

Joseph sends for his father and the rest of the household so that they can settle in the land of Goshen nearby. Pharaoh hears what has happened and he rolls out the red carpet for Joseph’s brothers and promises to give them the best of Egypt because of their relationship to Joseph.

Joseph sends his brothers on their way to get their families and his father. He provides for their journey both to Canaan and back. When his brothers arrive home, they tell their father that Joseph is alive. This revives their father and he agrees to go to Egypt.

In Genesis 46 as Israel is going to Egypt he passes by Beer-sheba and offers a sacrifice to God. God speaks to Israel and tells him not to be afraid of going to Egypt. God promises to go with him and make of him a great nation.

Israel, his sons, their households, livestock and possessions arrive in Egypt. When Joseph heard from his bother Judah that Israel was on his way, Joseph goes out to meet him. They hug each other weeping. Joseph tells him that he is going to let Pharaoh know that his family has arrived. He gives them instructions on how to meet Pharaoh.

The contrast between Joseph and his family is striking. Joseph has lived in complete trust that God is providing for him. He sees that everything he has comes from God and everything that has happened to him was God’s doing for a purpose. His brothers and father still struggle to see that God will protect provide for them. Even though they were told that they didn’t need to bring anything with them, they packed up all of their possessions and carted along their baggage.

As we examine this contrast in dealing with the things life throws at us we can see which we are most like.

As Matthew 16 opens the Pharisees and Sadducees are continuing to test Jesus. They ask for a sign from heaven. Jesus becomes indignant. He basically says that they can’t seem to see the signs that are right in front of them. They can read other signs but have a blind spot when it comes to believing the signs they see about Jesus. He refers to the sign of Jonah, which most believe related to his death and resurrection (Jonah having spent three days in the fish before being released).

Jesus warns his followers about the yeast (teachings) of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The disciples misunderstand and think he is concerned because they didn’t bring bread with them. It is clear that Jesus is becoming frustrated by the disciple’s inability to see who he is also. He rebukes them for worrying about bread and reminds them of the many times he provided for them.

They come to Caesarea Philippi and Jesus asks them who others say he is. They relay that it is thought he is John the Baptist or Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the other prophets. Jesus then asks who they think he is and Simon responds “you are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”  Jesus changes his name to Peter (Cephas) which means rock and says that upon this rock he will build his church.

Jesus is speaking about the fact that he is the Messiah, the Son of God and this is foundational for the message that will be proclaimed by those gathered together to become his church. This is the only place where Jesus uses the word church (ekklesia – gathered in ones).

Jesus begins to explain to the disciples what it means for him to be the Messiah. Peter tells Jesus this can’t happen and Jesus rebukes him. He calls Peter “Satan” which means “adversary.” Jesus accuses him of only thinking about earthly things: self-preservation, gaining power, victory in the battle. Then Jesus explains that Jesus and his followers are called to give up those things that the world calls good and carry the cross that God gives in order to gain true life.

One wonders if the disciples who came so quickly when Jesus first said “Come, follow me” are now wondering what they got themselves into.