In Genesis 45, the brutal journey towards reconciliation finally hits the crescendo. The wall of self protection, distance, and shame comes crumbling down. And, the new foundation of grace is starting to be built. Brutal, yes. Possible... inevitable, as we stand on Jesus, the One who was sent in God's eternal providence, to suffer at our hands, so that he could go before us, preserve us, give us salvation. Please read this chapter in advance, if you can, and come ready to let the Spirit bring walls down in our lives.

In Genesis 44, Joseph sets up a clear ruse. Isn't that a bit dodgy... even sinful? He seems to be entrapping his poor brothers. Well, remember that not every test is a trap. Some tests are all of love, designed to purify. This one is the latter. Yes, there is a ruse, but that ruse is leading to redemption and reconciliation by repentance and a clear testimony of the gospel. Benjamin and Judah in particular are going to demonstrate the guts of guilt, innocence, the need for a substitute, the power to change, and the glory of forgiveness. This is a brutal test within a brutal journey toward reconciliation. And, it's a glorious test and journey, too.

How can men like Joseph's brothers enter into God's blessing? In part 2 of "The Brutal Journey Towards Reconciliation", we will see together how God's love and kindness can awaken even the hardest of hearts. Joseph's brothers did not deserve to be loved and yet they were loved by Joseph. Similarly, in Jesus Christ, despite our failures and sin, we are known, loved and forgiven through Him, who is the only begotten Son of God.

Forgiving someone or people who have sinned against us deeply is one of the hardest human actions. Are you there? Is there someone or a list of people that you cannot imagine being able to forgive? And, do you struggle with guilt because of something you did? Repenting without knowing the outcome is also a really huge test of faith. This passage is the first step in a long and brutal journey of reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers. The story has a good ending, but know this - this story is not just about a family coming back together, but also the formation of a nation, the continued faithfulness of God to keep his promises, and the gospel in the key of Genesis 42!

One of my mentors once said that patience is trusting God's work in other people's lives. So true! Every time I am tempted to be the Holy Spirit, I remember that truth. This principle is also true for patience in hard situations. When in tests, I need to believe that God is at work in each and every circumstance and that even my tests are part of His good and perfect will.

Joseph is going to find restoration in Genesis 41. And yet, while Pharaoh grants him pardon and power, it is God and God alone who is actually restoring Joseph. Egypt and the court of Pharaoh are the wrappings, but Joseph's story is ultimately about the Kingdom of God and the King of that Kingdom. Joseph is honored, so that he can serve the nations in the future and so that he can use his power to give glory to God. May we be transformed by that truth.

Faithfulness can be lonely. Faithfulness can lead us to places where others don't want to be and don't want to remember, especially when others are rescued and want to focus on their normal lives. Joseph is in that place in Genesis 30. The last line says it all: "The chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him." There's such pain in that verse, and yet hope. You see, God was with Joseph. God saw Him. God was working in that moment of human forgetfulness. God's memory is our hope, especially when we are only able to see the end of one chapter that seems to say all have forgotten us. Remember, that lonely moment is a work of God to refine us and prepare us for redemption ahead.

We're back in Genesis! Chapter 39. We are going to look at God's recipe for success. Now, don't worry, I am not turning into THAT preacher! But seriously, this passage is about success - true success. Joseph is enslaved, tempted, and imprisoned, and yet in all that the Lord is with him and the Lord gives Joseph success - the success of obedience, moral courage, and faithfulness. Students, young professionals, the middle-aged and the older-aged, what would it look like to start the fall off on that kind of footing?

We are at the end of 2nd Corinthians and Paul is giving a last appeal to his beloved Corinthians with a warning and encouragement - a warning to examine ourselves and an encouragement to rejoice because Jesus Christ is in us! Friends - in the light of all we heard this summer, are you ready to embrace your cross?

One thing that proves to me I am not making up this gospel stuff is how counter intuitive and counter culture and "counter Jay Thomas" the gospel is. 2 Corinthians 12 is the highpoint of the letter and it has been used of God profoundly in my life. Paul states the truth as clearly as he can: our weaknesses are gifts God gives us so that in our emptiness and need Christ can fill us with all sufficient grace in the power of the Holy Spirit. Boy, that is true. Will you come with me into the promises of God this week and rediscover the glory of weaknesses that will in turn enable us to humbling experience the glory of God himself?

Desperate times call for desperate measures. 2 Corinthians 11 is a weird, exceptional, ironic, and one-off chapter. Paul, having just dropped the mic by saying we cannot boast in our selves but only in the Lord, now goes onto to boast about himself. But here's the thing - he acknowledges the temporary foolishness of his approach, and yet its vital place in his argument - Paul is not going to boast in his strength, but rather his weakness! And by doing so, He actually arrests the attention of this church so they will see Jesus in the power of the Spirit based on the gospel. Paul is going to lead us down a very unusual path, so we actually can get home... to Jesus.