Joseph And Jesus

JOSEPH & JESUS - STRIKING SIMILARITIES

INTRODUCTION

A. The story of Joseph is one of the most interesting

and exciting in Bible

1. It tells of a young man of remarkable

character and integrity

2. Yet he was rejected by his brothers,

misunderstood & falsely accused.

B. There are some striking similarities between

Joseph and the Lord Jesus Christ

1. Here were two sons that were loved by their

Fathers.

2. God the Father could say of His Son-Matt.17:5

I. BOTH WERE SINNED AGAINST, DESPISED & REJECTED

A. Consider what happened to Joseph, and how he

was treated by his family

1. They tore off his coat of many colors,

and sold him into slavery

2. What a shameful, sinful way to treat

their youngest brother!

B. Consider how Jesus was treated in a similar

way by his family

1. "He came to his own and his own

received him not" John 1:11

2. "He is despised and rejected of man, a

man of sorrows, and acquainted

with grief; and we hid as if were our

faces from him; he was despised

and we esteemed him not" Isa.53:3-4

3. Think of how our Lord was treated by

his own family, and nation

4. Why? "For he knew that through envy

they had delivered him" Mt.27:18

5. Just like Joseph, many took counsel

against him to put him to death Mt.27:1

II. BOTH WERE SOLD FOR A PRICE Gen.37:28

A. Joseph was sold for a mere 20 pieces of

silver - very small amount

1. Ex.21:32 the set price of a servant was

30 pieces.

2. This shows us how eager his brothers

were to see him gone.

B. Jesus the Son of God was also sold over for 30

pieces of silver

1. "Judas Iscariot went unto the chief

priests and said unto them, what will

ye give me, and I will deliver him to

you? And they covenanted with him

for 30 pieces of silver. And from that

time he sought opportunity to betray

him" - Matt.26:14-16 cf. Zech.11:12-13

2. Later when Jesus died on the cross, he

paid the price for our redemption

with his own blood, and purchased His

Church I Pet.1:18-19; Acts 20:28

III. BOTH HAD A GREAT LOVE FOR THEIR BRETHREN

A. Despite the evil treatment Joseph had

received, he felt nothing but great

love for them - Gen.42:24 No bitterness or

revenge sought

B. Likewise with the love of Christ for his

brethren - Lk.23:34

"Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings but ye would not"

Remember too his love for us Rom.5:8 How

great is the love of God!

IV. BOTH JOSEPH AND JESUS WERE SENT BEFORE TO

PRESERVE LIFE

A. Gen.45:5 Joseph could see God’s plan in all that

he had suffered.

1. He did not talk about how difficult and

painful his life had been

2. Joseph knew that all of this was for a great

purpose.

3. God knew that a severe famine was coming,

and Joseph would be in charge of storing the

grain, and controlling the food supply.

B. Jesus Christ was also sent before to preserve life

(God’s plan of redemption)

1. Matt.1:21 "Thou shalt call his name Jesus,

for he shall save his people from their

sins" cf. Lk.19:10

2. He came to earth that we might go to Heaven.

Died that we might live.

3. Through his rejection and suffering we have

eternal life - John 6:51, 58

V. JOSEPH AND JESUS WERE FOUND ALIVE Gen.45:3

A. I am Joseph - he told his brothers - Joseph

was alive, not dead.

B. The Message from the Empty was "Why seek ye

the living among the dead? He is not here,

but is risen" Lk.24:5-6

1. Just like Joseph’s brothers, his

disciples did not expect this.

2. But they were filled with joy when they

heard the good news Mt.28:8

VI. JOSEPH AND JESUS HAD PARDON FOR THE PENITENTS

Gen.45:15

A. Even though his brothers did not believe

they were forgiven Gen.50:15-21

1. They knew they did not deserve to be

treated with such kindness

2. There was Pardon, Peace, and Provision

within the land to prove it

B. Even so Jesus Christ, our Joseph shows great

willingness to forgive

1. What shall we do? Acts 2:37-38; 3:26

2. Forgiveness is available for one and

all. Eph.1:7

3. Do you believe it and will you receive

it today?

CONCLUSION

1. The story of Joseph is one of the most beautiful and wonderful.

2. But the story of Jesus is even more so, because it involves us.

3. He loves us - even though we didn’t earn or deserve it. Eph.2:8-10; 3:17-21