When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?” 8 They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”
There are few things as expressive as our faces. People can tell whether we are happy or sad, excited or exhausted. They can see it immediately. Joseph noticed something about his fellow prisoners under his charge. They were troubled. First, they were in prison for offending the ruler but they also had ominous sounding dreams. Joseph exhibited something we need to emulate. He could see their fear and moved to address it and alleviate it. The cupbearer and the baker exhibited something we need to be aware of. People are watching and they know by our faces whether we are filled with joy or with fear.
To imitate Joseph, may we be on the lookout for those of our neighbors who wear dread on their faces and especially need the comfort found in Jesus Christ. Then may we tell them about the joy that can change everything about their countenance. May we also learn from the two prisoners that our faces tell a tale. They either tell the story of our despair and fear about the future, even though we believe in Jesus. It tells people we are just as scared as they are. Or we can show joy in times of trouble that will make people ask us what is going on. Let the world see the joy of the Lord…
Written on our faces.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church