January 19
Gen 39-41:16 | PS 17 | Prov 3:33-35 | Matt 12:46-13:23
There are two types of relationships: horizontal and vertical. Horizontal relationships are all of those relationships that you have with other people. Vertical relationships are those between an individual and God. Which one is more important to you? You might want to say both, but a choice must be made, and since that is the case which one takes precedence over the other? Years ago I gave a rather specific and lengthy gospel presentation to a Jewish friend of mine. At the conclusion, he stated that he actually believes that Jesus is the Messiah, but he could not even consider moving in this direction considering what happened to his family during the holocaust, and what his present family would do if he were to move in that direction. Sadly, this friend chose his horizontal over his vertical relationship. So many of my friends who were raised secular but under the banner of some Christian denomination, be it Protestant or Catholic, after hearing the gospel message fail to make a decision for Christ for the same reason as my Jewish friend. They often point to various family members who would not understand and who they believe would not join them in their decision. So, instead they walk firmly in their horizontal relationships and figure God will understand why they have placed more value on these rather than Him. When I made my decision to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior over thirty years ago, it came with some damage to my horizontal relationships. Ridiculed by some, labeled a Jesus freak by others, etc. In case you missed it in one of our previous readings, Jesus was very clear that He will cause division in your earthly relationships, not peace as we read in Matthew 10:34-36, "“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’" If this is not clear enough, He concludes this teaching in 10:37-39, "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it."
As we move through Joseph's account in Genesis, it is easy to miss the passage of time of his trials. He was 17 when we are introduced to him in Genesis 37, when he is sold into slavery. He is 30, when he is released from prison in 41:46, and becomes the Prime Minister of Egypt. During this period of time (13 years) every earthly relationship was taken from him, but we see that his strength was based on his vertical relationship with God. We read in 39:2-3, when Joseph was a slave, "The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand." When Potiphar's wife made sexual advances towards Joseph, notice the strength of his relationship in 39:9, "There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”" Notice it was the sin against God. Now, years later and in prison, he has the opportunity to glorify himself, but we read his words to Pharaoh's butler and baker in 40:8, "And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.” So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.” He languishes two more years in prison as the butler forgets about him, but now finally before Pharaoh, he has the opportunity to shed light on himself, but we see that once again Joseph emphasizes his vertical relationship and gives all the glory to God, as we read in 41:15-16, "And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.” So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”"
Though many can recite the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), most place more emphasis on the horizontal commandments (5-10), rather than the first four which represent vertical commandments guiding our relationship with God. When Jesus' family members approach Him, some take offense at His reaction, but Jesus is not disrespecting them. What He is doing is emphasizing the significance of the vertical over the horizontal relationship, as we read in Matthew 12:48-50, "But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”" Many know of David's mistakes of adultery and murder and question how he can still be referred to as "a man after God's own heart". The truth is David messed up, as do all of us, but he never lost sight for long of his vertical relationship with God, as we read in Psalm 51:2-4 (after his sins were discovered), "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge." So, what is most important to you? A choice must be made. God deserves this from His creation. Do you seek the Creator, or do you seek the favor of your fellow created. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: