Slaves No More, Lord--March 25, 2022

[From March 20, 2020 archive]

 

Joseph’s brothers captured him,

sold him as a slave; 

he had no choice.

 

When he gained power, Joseph 

bargained with starving peasants 

for seed, and made them slaves.

They likewise had no choice. 

 

Paul, free with respect to all,

made himself a slave to all. 

For the sake of the gospel,

he made his choice.

 

Paul chose to follow Jesus, 

who climbs into the boat with us, 

calms the wind, quiets the sea,

and frees us from our slavery.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 22; 148; 105; 130

Gen. 47:1-26

1 Cor. 9:16-27

Mark 6:47-56

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 105:17

…[the LORD] had sent a man ahead of [the children of Jacob],
          Joseph, who was sold as a slave.

 

Gen. 47:19

“…Shall we die before your eyes, both we and our land?  Buy us and our land in exchange for food.  We with our land will become slaves to Pharaoh; just give us seed, so that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.”  [The Egyptians, to Joseph]

 

1 Cor. 9:19, 23

For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them.  …I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

 

Mark 6:51

Then [Jesus] got into the boat with [his disciples] and the wind ceased.  And they were utterly astounded…