Passing The Test Series

call his own, and that is what he does. The whole drama is a comedy, for it

ends with every one happy and delighted. What we need to grasp is that

comedy can be a real test. All of life is a comedy for the Christian, for we are

promised a happy ending no matter what. But it is important that we

recognize that there can be real trials in comedy. These brothers were living

in the promise land and they were starving. You can be where God wants you

to be and lack plenty. These brothers were the heads of God's chosen

people-the 12 tribes of Israel. They were still plagued by family problems of

parental favoritism and the green eyed monster of jealousy. Being God's

people does not shelter you from the problems of life.

These brothers had gotten off to a great start that morning. An early start

makes any long trip easier. When we left Florida we got up at 2:30 in the

morning and escaped all the massive traffic on I-95. It was great, and that is

the way these boys headed out of Egypt for home. But a good start does not

guarantee a good journey. We once had a good start for California and a few

hours out of the city our car developed heating problems that took several

hours to get fixed. These boys were soon stopped and accused of stealing. It

started to rain on their parade. The steward knew the cup was in Benjamin's

sack, but he did not go right to it. He kept the suspense going by starting with

the oldest brother and leaving Benjamin's sack till last. He did this on purpose

to build to a dramatic conclusion that shattered their confidence. The whole

thing is a comedy, but the point is, even in a comedy where all is going to be all

right there can be such ups and downs that you feel like you are on an

emotional roller coaster.

I know there is a lot of popular preaching that promises people a life free

of trial and tribulation if they follow Jesus, but I have to call your attention to

the fact that God's people in the Bible have never lived such a life. They have

always had trials and tribulations, and this is true even when they lived in

obedience. The brothers here deserved their trials, but Joseph was living in

complete obedience to God, and yet he had to endure some awful testing. The

way to look at life is to thank God for every day you do not feel the pressure of

the test. It is pure grace, but don't lose faith when the test comes and life has

one problem after another. You need to look at your life and see if God is

trying to tell you something, but you also need to just hang in there committed

to doing the will of God even if it hurts.

Commitment almost always hurts in some way. We see this as we meet

again around the Lord's table. Jesus was not one centimeter out of the will of

God. He was 100% on target, and yet he had to endure terrible testing. But

he endured it and passed the test for our sakes. By his death he secured for us

a place in the family of God. Joseph passed his test and reconciled his family.

Jesus passed His test and made it possible for all the rebel family of man to be