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
4. Joseph was a sinner and we are, and needed forgiveness too.
5. Jesus was sinless, "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" - Heb.7:26
6. Let us follow Him, and encourage others to do the same!
