Joseph’s brothers had cruelly sold him into slavery. Years later, Joseph found himself second-in-command in Egypt. Furthermore, he was in charge of the food that Egypt had stockpiled to get them through the famine that had been predicted. When his brothers found it necessary to travel to Egypt in order to buy food for their survival, Joseph found himself in a position to pay them back for their terrible sin against him. However, Joseph chose to forgive them instead. Genesis 50:19-21 says, “But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”

Forgiveness is a critical part of living out our faith in Jesus. When we forgive those who have done us wrong, we are following in the steps of our Savior Jesus, who died on the cross to make forgiveness possible for all sinners who will respond to him in faith.