Christian Devotional – October 19, 2024

New Beginnings, Day 44

The Substitute. Read Genesis chapter 44.

Joseph plans a test. He sets up his brothers so that they have to demonstrate whether or not they will save Benjamin or whether they will give him up like they gave up Joseph. Joseph wants to see whether they still hate their father’s favorite. During this test, the brothers demonstrate that they are willing to do anything to save Benjamin.

Judah offers himself as a substitute for Benjamin. Even though Joseph is only asking for Benjamin to stay as a slave, because of the fact that Benjamin is his father’s favorite, Judah offers himself instead.

God offers himself as a substitute for us. Jesus Christ came and lived the life that we could not live. He died the death that we deserved. God raised him again because he was perfect, which we could never be. Because of his substitution for our life, we can be saved. There is no other way to experience salvation other than through Jesus Christ.

God paint a beautiful picture of that here with the story of Joseph. New beginnings start by recognizing our inability to meet God’s demands. Only by allowing the substitution of Jesus Christ are we reconciled and made right with God. Does that describe your relationship with God today?

Watch the video devotional here: https://youtu.be/HdH33-4C_3I