The Colorful Cross

“Now Israel loved Joseph…he made him a tunic of many colors.” Ge 37:3 “So it came to pass…they stripped Joseph of his tunic…they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty…and they lifted him out…and sold him.” Ge 37:23-28

I have not read this story in many years, but it is certainly a story from which to draw application as believers. Israel, Joseph’s father favored his son, and out of his deep love made a robe for him with his own hands, displaying brilliant colors. Joseph experienced several dreams which prophesied that his family and all the nation would one day bow before him. Once he shared those dreams, they became enraged in addition to the jealousy they already had felt. They concocted a plan to remove him from the picture when they saw Joseph approaching them. No doubt he stood out on the horizon with those bright colors on his tunic. Once he came upon them, they stripped the robe off him and sold him to the Ishmaelites. But he didn’t need a robe to continue being favored. God began a string of circumstances that led Joseph into leadership with Pharaoh, gaining authority and status over all the land.

We too have a Father who has personally handled our lives, favoring us with love and blessings. Once Christ died for us, we have been given a robe of righteousness that displays His brilliant colors of grace, peace, hope and salvation. People should be able to see us from afar, recognizing that Christ is in us. We are favored children; we are chosen people and even when others try to strip us from favor and tear us down, we are protected. We are to reflect the beauty and radiance of Christ Jesus for a hurting and searching world. Whenever it seems someone has stripped us from our peace and joy, we must remember that we belong to our Father, who will never separate us from His favor.