Thurs.’s Devo - The Great Reveal -

Read: Genesis 44:1-45:28; Matthew 14:13-36; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 4:11-13 Joseph had his steward fill the men’s sacks with grain and hide his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. When they had gotten out of the city, Joseph sent his steward to pursue them and accuse them of stealing Joseph’s silver cup that he used for divining. *** The steward searched each sack and found the cup in Benjamin’s sack. They tore their clothes in distress and returned to the city with the steward. *** Judah spoke for the group and confessed that God was judging their guilt. Joseph told them that only the one whose sack the cup was found in would be judged and they could all return home. Judah then pled Benjamin’s cause. He explained how precious Benjamin was to his father and how Benjamin had one brother who was no longer with them. Judah offered to take Benjamin’s place just as he had promised his father he would do. *** Joseph then knew that they had changed and couldn’t wait another minute. He told all his Egyptian servants to leave and he revealed himself to his brothers as their long lost brother, Joseph. He explained how God had sent him ahead of them to preserve them and many others in the world. The famine had only lasted 2 years so far and had 5 more to go. He suggested they move their families to Goshen where he could take care of them with Egypt’s best. 
 *** They had a tearful reunion. When the Pharaoh found out these men were Joseph’s brothers, he welcomed them with open arms and sent them back with great wagons of provisions. *** They returned to Canaan and told Jacob what had happened. He believed when he saw all the wagons sent from Egypt. He agreed to go to Egypt to see Joseph. *** The story of Joseph is a parallel of the story of Jesus. He suffered and died of us and has gone ahead of us to prepare a place for us. In his house are many mansions. *** In Matthew, Jesus heard the news that Herod had beheaded John the Baptist. I’m sure Jesus wondered why God had to end John’s life that way. He desired to go off by himself and talk to his father about it, but was met with a great crowd and had compassion on them. He stayed and healed them and met their needs. *** They were in a desolate place and it was getting late so the disciples told Jesus to send them away so they could find food. They only had five loaves and two fish. 
 *** Jesus asked them to bring him the food and he ordered the crowd to sit. He took the food and blessed it and gave it to the disciples to hand out. The food multiplied and it fed over 5,000 people. They took up 12 baskets of left-overs. *** As soon as everyone had eaten, Jesus made the disciples get into their boat and go to the other side. He dismissed the crowd and went to the mountain alone to spend time with his father. *** In the middle of the night a storm rose up in the sea and while the disciples were fighting the waves, they looked up and saw Jesus walking on the water. They thought it was a ghost at first but when he spoke to them he told them not to be afraid. Peter wanted to do what Jesus was doing so Jesus invited him to. He did fine till he took his eyes off Jesus and began to look at the waves. Then he began to sink and Jesus had to rescue him. As soon as Jesus stepped into the boat it became peaceful on the sea. The disciples were amazed and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.” *** They came to the land at Genneserat, which was the same place Jesus had cast the demons out of the man. It had scared the people in the town so much that they had cast Jesus out. Now, they welcomed him and came from all around to hear him. The demoniac’s testimony had changed their minds about Jesus, so now they were ready to receive what he had. *** Seeing is believing. Miracles can be scary if you’ve never seen one, but once you see the result of them, you want more. The demoniac had wanted to come with Jesus but Jesus had told him to stay there and let the people see the fruit of his changed lives. He became Jesus’ evangelist to save his territory. *** Lord may we keep our eyes on you in the midst of our storms. May we invite you into our boat and let you bathe us in your peace. You are the answer to all our fears and the rewarder of those who diligently seek you.