“IN THE PLACE OF GOD”

Genesis 50:15–21; Matthew 18:21–35     

We remember that we reviewed Joseph’s story briefly a few weeks ago. The story of Joseph is a powerful story of family, betrayal, suffering, forgiveness, and God’s providence. Joseph’s brothers hated him, planned to kill him, and eventually sold him as a slave. Joseph suffered greatly because of what they had done to him.

But God was with Joseph. Through many difficult years, Joseph became the second most powerful person in Egypt. During a severe famine, he was able to save many lives, including the lives of his own family. God used Joseph’s painful journey for a greater purpose.

Today’s story begins after their father Jacob died in Genesis chapter 50. Joseph’s brothers became afraid because their father had died, and they thought, “Now Joseph may take revenge on us.” They came before Joseph, the prime minister of Egypt, and asked for forgiveness. They bowed down before him and said, “We are your servants.”

Joseph wept. Then he said these remarkable words: “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God?” Joseph understood something very important. He was not God. Judgment belonged to God. Joseph had great power, but he refused to use that power for revenge.

Joseph continued, “You intended to do harm to me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Joseph did not say that what his brothers had done was acceptable. He did not pretend that he had never been hurt. He simply trusted that God was greater than the evil that had been done to him.

This is the heart of today’s message: Do not take God’s place. When we are hurt, we often want to judge, punish, or get even. But when we take revenge, we are trying to sit in God’s place. Joseph could have used his position to punish his brothers. Instead, he chose forgiveness and trusted God with judgment.

In Matthew 18, Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?”

Peter probably thought that seven times was more than enough. But Jesus answered, “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Some translations say, “seventy times seven.” Jesus was not telling Peter to count how many times he had forgiven someone. Jesus was teaching that Christian forgiveness is not limited by a number.

Then Jesus told the parable of the unforgiving servant. A king wanted to settle his accounts with his servants. One servant owed the king an enormous debt—far more than he could ever repay. The servant fell before the king and begged for patience.

The king had compassion on him and forgave the entire debt.

But then that same servant went out and found another servant who owed him a much smaller amount. Instead of showing mercy, he grabbed him and demanded payment. The second servant begged for patience, but the first servant refused and had him put in prison.

When the king heard what had happened, he was angry. The servant had received great mercy but refused to show mercy to another.

Jesus teaches us a powerful truth: We forgive because we have first been forgiven. God has forgiven us far more than we can ever repay. Therefore, we are called to extend that same mercy to others.

Forgiveness does not mean that evil is acceptable. It does not mean that we ignore injustice or allow someone to continue hurting us. Forgiveness means that we refuse to carry the burden of revenge. We place judgment in God’s hands and ask God to heal our hearts.

Joseph’s story reminds us of this truth: “You intended to do harm to me, but God intended it for good.” What a statement of faith! Joseph trusted that God could bring good even from something that was meant for evil.

We may also carry old wounds—words that hurt us, family conflicts, disappointments, or things we cannot easily forget. Sometimes the pain is still real even after many years. But perhaps today God is asking us, “Will you let Me be God?” “Will you stop trying to take My place?”

We do not have to make everything right by ourselves. We do not have to repay every wrong. We can place our anger, our pain, and our desire for revenge into God’s hands.

Joseph had every reason to seek revenge, but he chose forgiveness. Peter wanted to know how many times he had to forgive, but Jesus taught him that forgiveness is not something we count. And the unforgiving servant reminds us that those who have received mercy are called to show mercy.

So let us remember three simple things. First, God is in God’s place. Second, forgiveness does not deny our pain. Third, God can bring good from painful circumstances. We may not understand what God is doing today, but we can trust that God is still working with us.

If there is someone who has hurt you, perhaps you cannot forgive everything in one day. Bring that pain to God. Say, “God, I cannot do this by myself. Help me release my anger and leave judgment in Your hands.”

Forgiveness is a journey of faith. God can change our hearts little by little. Let us remember Joseph’s words: “Am I in the place of God?” No. God is God, and we are God’s servants. So let God judge. Let God heal. Let God transform.

May we release our desire for revenge and make room for God’s healing. May God’s place remain God’s place, and may we faithfully follow Christ in the way of forgiveness and peace. May it be so for you and for me! Amen.