2nd Week of Lent : Friday 10th March 2023

The story of Joseph sold into slavery by his brothers is about sibling rivalry that led to solid jealousy, which in turn had killing as an intention, and finally softened a bit to forced foreign bondage. In our Christian faith, Joseph has always been a pre-figurement of Jesus — both were loved, specially by the father, sold by their own close brothers with some silver pieces, etc. This is the way that some New Testament authors point to the fulfilment of the Old Testament in Christ by employing a typological interpretation of the Old Testament.

In the same way, God foreordained Joseph’s rejection so that he could save his people in the end, so does God have a plan for Jesus’ rejection, suffering and death to bring about the salvation of the whole world.

The parable of Jesus in today’s Gospel points to Himself as the heir who was seized, thrown out of the vineyard, and finally killed. The Son of God would be rejected by His own people, arrested, tortured and killed on the cross for the whole world’s sake. However, Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders that has become the keystone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.

We pray that we will be able to recognise Jesus as the fulfilment of all Scriptures — the keystone of the building of God to which we belong. Despite rivalry and jealousy, we can still build up this building of God with God’s grace.

O Jesus, though You were rejected, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.