A Violent Affection
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
In Luke 15 we read the famous parable of the prodigal son. It is a story we are all familiar with, one of Jesus’ most memourable parables. We put ourselves in the place of the young prodigal son who is shown great grace by his father when he returns. In particular, the welcome is father gives is beautiful and even a bit surprising.
And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
Here is a father who loves his son and once his son sees his sin and rejects it, coming in humility to rely on his father again he isn’t given a probation, no strong words or cold shoulder, not even a world about the inheritance he wasted, he receives and embrace of a man moved by compassion, love, and affection.
This reception is similar to the way that Joseph’s brothers are embraced in our text today. Like the prodigal, they are traitors now humbled and starving, and when they deserve a harsh attitude they get warm, affectionate love and reconciliation. The similarity is no accident, for both display the affection of God for his people. God’s compassion and affection for us informs so much about of Christian lives, and gives us another vital piece of understanding what it truly means to love one another.
Joseph’s Violent Affection
Joseph’s Violent Affection
Our text begins with the second emotional breakdown that Joseph has in this process of reconciling with his brothers. The first was in
And he lifted up his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me? God be gracious to you, my son!” Then Joseph hurried out, for his compassion grew warm for his brother, and he sought a place to weep. And he entered his chamber and wept there.
However, the emotion is much more accelerated here. He asks his attendees to leave his presence, and yet all of Pharaoh’s house can hear him because he is so moved. The only word that can adequately describe Joseph’s feeling at this moment is a violent affection.
Last week we saw the final conclusion of Judah’s character arch. He had gone from a fratricidal idolater to someone who would lay down his life for his Father's favourite younger son. Perhaps it was because Joseph was overwhelmed with the realization that he can finally be united with them, perhaps Joseph is so moved by his older brother’s love for Benjamin, probably a mix of both that brings Joseph to such a powerful display of emotion, but there is no question that this is the climactic moment of the story. Joseph’s weeping is meant to be a powerful moment for the readers as we see everything come together. If we are invested in this story and it’s characters we should be able to feel the weight of it.
The Reason for his Affection: They are Brothers Again
The Reason for his Affection: They are Brothers Again
Joseph’s emotions stem from the fact that after 17 years apart, the covenant community can finally be united again.
Joseph responds this way because he sees their relationship with him restored.
He sees the jealousy put to death.
He sees love brought to life.
Joseph responds this way because he sees their relationship with God restored.
The boys have rejected their jealousy and hatred and have embraced godly love.
Jacob has rejected his idolatry and embraced faith and trust in God.
Joseph responds this way to both of these factors because it means the reunion of the family of the people of God. They are no longer in sin, divided, guilt ridden, and far from God. It was not good enough for Joseph to be by himself serving God in a foreign land full of paganism. He needed the family of God, just like you do.
The Violence of the Affection
The Violence of the Affection
But notice also the violence of these affections. Joseph’s display of emotion may seem a little over the top if we try to imagine what it must of looked like. This is especially true in Egyptian culture, which saw temperance and an unfeeling demeanor as wise and esteemed. All these emotions that Joseph has been keeping hidden all this time come out. Joseph is ready to be reconciled with his brothers and the first thing that he does is make himself vulnerable to them.
Vulnerability is a visual statement of trust and weakness. Up to this point he has played himself as the proud, mighty, and suspicious leader of Egypt, and distant and far-off ruler. But now he draws close to them immediately, revealing himself to be the brother that he is and showing them the violence of his affections for them in his weeping. It is not as if Joseph had not affectionate feelings for his brothers until this moment, rather we see from his earlier, secret weeping and in the violence of this weeping that the affection was there all along, bottled up and ready to break through the dam he had built to hold those emotions in check until such a time came when he knew he could be reconciled to his family once again. He does not make himself emotionally distant towards them, but shows by his own vulnerability the love and affection he has for them.
This affection mirrors the affection God has for his people at this time that, for a time was hidden, and yet was never gone because God’s covenant with his people is based on his own faithful love for them.
An Open Affection; “Come Near to me, Please”
An Open Affection; “Come Near to me, Please”
When Joseph does open up to his brother, letting them know who he is, that he is still alive, and that he loves them. When he reveals himself to his brothers, they are frightened right away. Their sin has found them out in a way that they never could have imagined, and they are terrified. This is the ultimate scenario of the bully being at the mercy of the kid he used to beat up behind the gym. Joseph is now a mighty ruler of Egypt when before he was just their little brother, which is part of the reason why Joseph hid himself from them to see if their repentance was legitimate. In their minds, Joseph may be revealing himself only to come down on them for all they know. So in verse 4 Joseph asks his brothers to come near to him.
The closeness and tenderness is tangible. There is no coldness, no distance, and no waiting for payback or recompense, just sweet, familial affection. Joseph’s love for his brothers is both violent and gentle. Its both intense and warmly sweet.
He asks them to draw near to him, knowing their fear and intimidation. He’s asking them to trust them in a situation where they have little choice considering their situation. They can’t be in any more danger than they are already, so they are pushed into a place where the only place they can go for safety is the one who would be their danger. So they come near and Joseph tells them two things: That he is indeed their brother Joseph and that they should not be upset at themselves because of God’s providential hand in it all. In other words, he wants them to forgive themselves for the same reason he has forgiven them.
The Brother’s Guilt Blocking the Affection of being Reunited with Joseph
The Brother’s Guilt Blocking the Affection of being Reunited with Joseph
This is important because it is impossible for reconciliation to happen without this one obstical removed: guilt.
Guilt remembers sins that are forgiven, debts that are paid, and sits between the two parties as an impassible wall.
Guilt makes you hesitate in your affections. Where guilt exists, you cannot assume closeness that is not tied to your debt. Like borrowing money from a close friend can change the whole dynamic of the relationship for the worse, guilt makes a relationship weak and fragile, and affection becomes shallow.
Guilt makes you suspicious, feeling that you may be called to own up to a dept that is supposed to be forgiven.
That being the case, the brothers must overcome their guilt in order to reunite with Joseph in the way that he is seeking to reconcile with them.
Overcoming the Guilt Through Forgiveness and Recognition of God’s Providence
Overcoming the Guilt Through Forgiveness and Recognition of God’s Providence
How is guilt overcome?
Forgiveness expressed in a close, affectionate embrace.
God’s forgiveness dispensed in the forgiveness and affection of his people.
Recognition of God’s providence in ours and others sin sin.
Application: Encouraging Our Affections
Application: Encouraging Our Affections
In the life of Joseph, we see an excellent example of someone who was not led by their feelings, and yet did not let that diminish their feelings. Affections are of vital importance in the Christian community. Love is not a feeling, its true, but true love encourages not just actions of love, but affects as well. Love engages all of who we are as a person in relation to the one we love, and so love brings out affections. We do not love someone that we roll our eyes to serve, or that we serve coldly without any care for them personally. When we love someone, it engages our affections and these affections reflect Christ in us.
Reflecting on the Affections of Christ
Reflecting on the Affections of Christ
Christ is, indeed, affectionate for the people of God. He expresses a range of emotions that show a deep, felt care for those that he gave his life to redeem.
He showed great affection for the people of Israel and their capital, Jerusalem, in Matthew 23:37
English Standard Version Chapter 23
37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
It was with great feeling and passion that Christ prayed for his disciples the following in
O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Jesus showed great affection for even his personal friends, like he did when he wept for the death of Lazarus in John 11:35. All this shows that we are saved by an affectionate saviour who loves us with an emotional love. The other members of the Trinity are also painted with such affectionate language, such as when the Father is attributed with a righteous jealousy and pleased with his good and faithful servants and the Holy Spirit who can be grieved by our sin and negligence.
How God shows us affection, even when we don’t feel it. Just as Joseph’s affection were very real and yet hidden for a time, God’s affections for his people never ceases although it may be hidden for a time. God does this consistently, showing us affectionate love and expecting us to embrace a similarly affectionate acceptance of one another, being grieved at each other’s sin but quick to rejoice and accept them with tears of joy at their repentance.
There is no bitterness for those who embrace the love of God. No room for a horde of negative feelings we refuse to rid ourselves of towards one another. Any wallowing in self pity and victimhood must be abandoned in this greater pursuit of godly affection and love which motivates a godly desire for unity and reconciliation where it is needed.
Reflecting on the Affections of our Forebears
Reflecting on the Affections of our Forebears
In putting this into practice, we can do well to read the letters and journals of many Christians who have gone before us and the affectionate way they addressed one another.
The Apostle Paul
But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.
William Carey found great affection both in the Christians he worked with and the ones who laboured on the other side of the world. Reading some of his letters to his good friends John Sutcliffe, Andrew Fuller, and Samuel Pierce show an intense amount of affection and desire to see one another, even though they had not seen each other in years and would never see one another in this life ever again. They showed more affection and tenderness in one letter which would take months to arrive than most Christians show on social media in their entire life. This affection boosted their ability to labour in the field of the Lord knowing that they had the solid support of such faithful fellow labourers, even when they were across a globe much bigger than ours is today.
A similar attitude can be found in the daughter of Jonathan Edwards, Esther Burr, and her correspondence with a dear sister in Christ. Again, affection based on their common faith and a deep friendship.
Embracing Violent Affections
Embracing Violent Affections
From the examples we can pull from church history, and from Christ himself, we see a glorious pattern of affectionate love among the people of God that reflects the kind of love God has for us. This affection manifests itself both when we see other believers walking with Christ and when we see them stumble and fall.
Affectionate for the Christ-like
Affectionate for the Christ-like
We should be affectionate for the Christ-like
Because the ways in which they are like Christ draw our affections to Christ.
Because the ways in which they are like Christ remind us of Christ, our greatest love.
Because we know that the ways in which they are like Christ please and glorify Christ, and that should make us exceedingly glad.
Because they show off the grace that makes Christ so lovely to us.
Affectionate for the Fallen and Restored
Affectionate for the Fallen and Restored
We should be affectionate towards the weak in Christ
Because Christ is tender with them. “a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; “ (Is 42:3).
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Because Christ shed precious blood for them, elected them, and gave them the spirit.
Because tender affection, along with encouragement and even rebuke when necessary, will make it easier for them to grow stronger. That affection will help draw them away from sin when it is temporarily suspended.
Because you are just as weak.
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Affections based on the Glory of God Manifested in the People of God
Affections based on the Glory of God Manifested in the People of God
Our affections towards one another is based on affection we should have for Christ. We cannot pretend to have any affection or sincere love for Christ if we feel nothing for those he united to himself by his own death.
Our affection shows us to be the loving people of God we were created to be, and thus brings glory to Christ.
An affectionate, loving community will bring us joy, and God glory.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Affection is not something that tames itself. It comes and goes with passing moods without the Spirit’s grace. Therefore it is something we must actively grow into through intentional growth and prayer for it. There are things we can do to increase this affection in a godly, biblical way.
Meditate on God’s love for them and us.
Thank God for them, both publically and privately.
Tell them they are loved, especially the weak, repentant sinner, and the low and broken.
Offer them vulnerability wisely.
When you get hurt, count it as a suffering for Christ’s sake and don’t lose heart.
Pray with other Christians.