______________________________________________________

 

Lots of saving going on around here--Reuben saves Joseph from sure death, Jesus saves Peter from sure drowning, and Paul tells us the sure directions to getting salvation into our own story. These passages can stand individually or we can weave into a single motif of salvation. Enjoy!

Genesis 37:1-4; 12-28-Behold the Dreamer Cometh!

Today we begin the Joseph narratives with a story that weaves favoritism with outlandish dreams and violence. Joseph suggests an uneven, perplexing personality that reveals insight beyond his years while yet playing the brat who tattles on his brothers. We also see parental favoritism which seems endemic to the patriarchs. This time Jacob is partial to his youngest son, so much so that he fashions a robe that conveys status and special honor. The ten brothers, well aware of their dishonor vis-à-vis Joseph’s status, seek to kill the kid but in the last moment Rueben’s quick thinking keeps them from such violence. “Let’s just throw him alive into this pit . . . he will die without our having to touch him,” he feigns. In the end, Judah retrieves and cashes Joseph in for silver and the plot thickens in Egypt.

Romans 10:5-15-Beautiful Feet

No need to shuttle to heaven or chisel down to the place of the dead, Paul says, in order to get right with God; simply trust Christ alone. Here we can discern an early Christian baptismal formula-Jesus is Lord (vs. 9-10), and the invitation to all. But notice the questions that Paul strings along as a response to the marvelous Good News about Christ: how can anyone call on Jesus if they don’t believe? . . . and how can anyone believe if they’ve never heard? . . . and how can anyone hear unless someone goes and tells them this good news? Thus we arrive at one of the most magnificent missionary pieces in the New Testament-a mission statement for those who carry the good news to other places and contexts.

 

Matthew 14:22-33--Here Comes Jesus, He’s Walking on the Water . . .

The 5,000 are fed and sent home, the disciples hit the boat and make for the other side, while Jesus retreats in solitude to pray. The story shifts to late evening and focuses on the disciples, who by this time are in trouble at sea. Jesus unexpectedly makes his entry to them walking across the water as if it were a waxed floor. Perhaps he intended to be a non-anxious presence among the rogue waves, but to the disciples 3:00 am, he seemed more a spectre and so they “screamed in terror.” Jesus speaks. The voice is assuring-at least to Peter-who recognizes the voice enough to trust it in a bold maneuver: he asks to be invited to walk across the waxed floor. He gains a confident start, but sinks when he looses his focus. Still, what an audacious attempt by Peter. And what a daring revelation the disciples are left with when its all over!