Rev. Mark H. Creech
A very private moment: has it happened to you?
FacebookTwitter
By Rev. Mark H. Creech
June 26, 2017

I've been reading the book of Genesis lately and the story of Joseph is a fascinating one.

Unjustly despised by his brothers and secretly sold to a band of merchantmen, Joseph was taken into Egypt and made a slave. Later he would be wrongly accused by his master's wife of sexual assault, and though he was innocent imprisoned. Eventually, he was vindicated and released and in the providence of God raised to the position of vice-regent in Egypt.

When a famine swept the land, his treacherous brothers were forced to go into Egypt to buy food and were confronted unawares by Joseph. They had not seen him for several years and didn't recognize him. Moreover, Joseph purposely hid his identity from them until he would choose the right time to reveal himself.

I think it's interesting that the time of Joseph's disclosure to his brothers was a private one. The Scriptures say, "Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brethren" (Gen. 54:1).

Joseph then manifested his true identity, reached out in a spirit of reconciliation, and forgave his brothers their grievous trespasses against him. As one commentator has described it, Joseph demonstrated a "love stooping, a love conquering." The Bible says that Joseph kissed them and they all fell upon his neck and wept in true remorse for what they had done to Joseph.

Joseph is a type of Christ and the revelation of Christ to the soul is perhaps the most private of experiences.

Christianity is not simply the truth, an institution, a philosophy, or a code of ethics; although in one sense, it is all of these things. It is, however, more importantly, and fundamentally, a Divine, living, and loving Person.

At the heart of a genuine Christian faith is that very private moment when we are confronted in our spiritually treacherous ways by the Savior, Jesus Christ. When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, it was very personal and rather than being reproached by him, they experienced his splendid magnanimity and consequentially reproached themselves. It is the same when Christ reveals himself to us. We discover him that is full of grace and mercy. We see that He loves us. We see that he wants to embrace us. He wants to forgive us and be reconciled, despite the severity of our sins against him.

Have you ever experienced such a private moment with God in the person of his Son, Jesus Christ?

Of course, if you have, then you know that although a personal experience with the Savior is a private one, our newfound relationship with him can never be a secret. Joseph saved his brothers when he could have justly destroyed them. They owed him everything. It is for us to go far and near with this same message that our Lord is willing to reveal himself and receive all that come unto him by Christ.

© Rev. Mark H. Creech

 

The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
(See RenewAmerica's publishing standards.)

Click to enlarge

Rev. Mark H. Creech

Rev. Mark H. Creech is Executive Director of the Christian Action League of North Carolina, Inc. He was a pastor for twenty years before taking this position, having served five different Southern Baptist churches in North Carolina and one Independent Baptist in upstate New York.

Rev. Creech is a prolific speaker and writer, and has served as a radio commentator for Christians In Action, a daily program featuring Rev. Creech's commentary on social issues from a Christian worldview.

In addition to RenewAmerica.com, his weekly editorials are featured on the Christian Action League website and Agape Press, a national Christian newswire.

Subscribe

Receive future articles by Rev. Mark H. Creech: Click here

More by this author

July 27, 2024
Executive Director of Christian Action League to take a month-long sabbatical


July 13, 2024
‘No other gods before me’: Seven false gods of the present age (Part 2)


June 24, 2024
‘No other gods before me’: Seven false gods of the present age


June 17, 2024
‘No other gods before me’: The first commandment’s national significance


June 8, 2024
From ancient idols to modern misconceptions: The call to worship only God


June 3, 2024
Restoring ethical foundations: The Ten Commandments in American culture


May 27, 2024
Repeating history: Medicinal whiskey’s echoes in medical marijuana policy


May 20, 2024
Billy Graham’s statue in the Capitol: What does it mean for the country?


May 10, 2024
Pillars of society: Reclaiming traditional motherhood in modern times


May 6, 2024
Navigating faith and civic responsibility: Pastor Loran Livingston’s controversial sermon


More articles

 

Stephen Stone
HAPPY EASTER: A message to all who love our country and want to help save it

Stephen Stone
The most egregious lies Evan McMullin and the media have told about Sen. Mike Lee

Siena Hoefling
Protect the Children: Update with VIDEO

Stephen Stone
FLASHBACK to 2020: Dems' fake claim that Trump and Utah congressional hopeful Burgess Owens want 'renewed nuclear testing' blows up when examined

Stanley Zir
The sky is not falling, Chicken Little, under Donald Trump

Jerry Newcombe
How Thanksgiving became a national holiday

Frank Louis
Thanksgiving Thoughts: If you think prayer doesn’t work, think again

Kari Lee Fournier
Almighty God vs. Satan: Thanksgiving during demolition of the Deep State!

Victor Sharpe
Glory or weakness: Israel’s eternal choice

Selwyn Duke
Let’s say man IS changing the climate. So what?

Pete Riehm
Give thanks for another opportunity for freedom

Tom DeWeese
Observations on the 2024 Election

Curtis Dahlgren
War and peace

Matt C. Abbott
Milwaukee archbishop-designate aided investigators in nun's satanic murder case

Cliff Kincaid
Why the Deep State is afraid of Matt Gaetz

Paul Cameron
Can the growth of homosexuality be stopped?
  More columns

Cartoons


Click for full cartoon
More cartoons

Columnists

Matt C. Abbott
Chris Adamo
Russ J. Alan
Bonnie Alba
Chuck Baldwin
Kevin J. Banet
J. Matt Barber
Fr. Tom Bartolomeo
. . .
[See more]

Sister sites