From Vicar Stefanec  (December)

Dear Saints of Trinity, As we continue considering how individuals in the Old Testament foreshadow Christ, we now turn to Joseph. The story of Joseph’s life is likely one we are all familiar with. Joseph is the son of Jacob. As a young man, he is hated by his brothers for giving a bad report of them to their father, for being loved more by their father, and for having dreams prophesying that his brothers would bow down to him (Genesis 37:2-11).

So, his brothers conspire against him and end up selling him into slavery. They strip him of his garments and throw him into the pit. Then, he becomes a slave in Egypt. Joseph is a successful servant and prospers in the house of Potiphar. However, Potiphar’s wife desires to commit adultery with Joseph, but in the end, he does not comply. Potiphar’s wife catches him by his garment, and he flees while his clothing is left behind. Out of spite, she falsely accuses him of trying to take advantage of her, and Joseph is thrown into prison.

Yet eventually, Pharaoh has dreams that he does not understand, and Joseph is able to interpret them. Joseph is “called out of the pit” and changes his clothes (Gen. 41:14). Because Joseph was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, Pharaoh exalts Joseph to second command in all Egypt and clothes him in fine linen. Eventually, Joseph is able to feed his brothers and reconcile with them during a famine, and he himself clothes the ones that once stripped him of his garments (45:22).

So it is also with Christ. Christ was the beloved Son of his Father from eternity. But just as Joseph was descended into the pit to become a slave, so also Christ descended from heaven to be born in the form of a servant. Just as Joseph was falsely accused of sin he did not commit and bore its punishment, Christ, who knew no sin, became sin for us. Just as Joseph was stripped of his garments by Pharaoh’s wife, so also was Christ naked upon the cross. Just as Joseph descended into prison, so also Christ descended into the grave and hell to declare victory to the spirits in prison. Just as Joseph was exalted to second in command in all Egypt, so also Christ was resurrected and ascended to the right hand of the Father, so that he might reign over all things. Just as Joseph clothed his brothers—those who stripped him and cast him into the pit—so also Christ clothes us in his righteousness, for we are the ones who stripped him and put him on the cross.

Now, as Joseph fed his family bread in the famine, so also Christ is the bread-giver for his church. Each week, he feeds us with his word and with his body and blood, so that we are clothed with his righteousness and are sustained through the famine of this life, residing in a pagan land. It is here that we live, awaiting the final exodus out of Egypt as we await Christ’s return.

This Advent, let us remember all that Christ has done in becoming human to bear our sin, die for us and ascend on high. Let us feast on the food he provides, for apart from it there is only death and starvation. In him alone is our daily bread, and apart from him faith cannot be sustained. Lastly, let us remember that he who reigns in heaven will soon return, to deliver his people once and for all from bondage and slavery.

For Prayer: Heavenly Father, you provided food for your people through Joseph. Please grant that we would always see Christ as our sole source for sustaining bread while we await his return, so that we may rely only upon him to preserve us unto the end of the age. Amen.