When I read the story of Joseph in
my Bible, I am reminded of Jesus, because
Joseph makes me think of Jesus, because of
the similarities.
Joseph's fellow sufferers were like the two thieves
that were crucified with Christ, the one saved,
the other condemned.
One of these, when Joseph said to him,
Remember me, when it shall be well with
thee, forgot him.
But one of these, when he said, Remember
me, when thou comest into thy kingdom, was
not forgotten.
Joseph was thirty years old when he rose
to his exultation in Egypt.
Jesus was about thirty years old at the
fruition of his earthly ministry.
Joseph was Christ-like in character, so Joseph
makes me think of Jesus.
I have known some men in my life
who I can say that they made me
think of Jesus, men in whom Jesus was
prominent, because in their lives they gave him
preeminence.
One of these men was Adrian Rogers.
He made me think of Jesus.
There was consistency in Dr. Rogers' life.
He was always witnessing for Jesus, always defending
the Bible, always fighting against evil.
But most importantly, what stands out about him
was the stark reality that when you hung
out with him, you felt like you were
always in the presence of Jesus.
He made me think of Jesus.
Let me share a story with you, friends.
It was a rainy night in Memphis, Tennessee,
and I'd just dropped off my family at
a local restaurant while I went to park
the car.
As I made my way in the dark
parking lot, it was pouring down rain, and
the wind blew hard on my umbrella.
Once I made it to the door of
the restaurant, I stepped inside to a well
-lit lobby, and standing there with his arms
outstretched was Adrian Rogers.
He greeted me in his deep booming voice,
Ernesto.
Then he threw his big arms around me
and hugged me hard.
In that precise moment, I knew what it
was like to leave this world for heaven
above, where Jesus would be there to greet
me.
For I felt like I was in the
presence of Jesus.
I always felt that way around Adrian Rogers,
because he made me think of Jesus.
John the Baptist said of Christ Jesus, he
must increase, but I must decrease.
I know one thing for sure, friends, about
the Christian life, and that is this.
The Christian life is lived via the cross.
Self must go to the so Jesus can
become more prominent in our life.
How about you, friend?
Do you know a person who makes you
think of Jesus?
Better yet, can someone say about you that
you remind your spouse and family members of
Jesus as you go about your daily activities
in the home?
Can your work colleagues say that about you,
that you remind them of Jesus?
Is Jesus prominent in your life because you've
made him preeminent in your life?
When you come in contact with the world,
do people say you that you made them
think of Jesus?
I love the little hymn, Jesus be Jesus
in me.
Let us pray.