Genesis 40:1-23
While in prison, Joseph offers to help two other inmates by interpreting their dreams. The cupbearer's dream was interpreted very favorably, and the baker's dream was not so favorable. In three days the cupbearer would be removed from prison and restored to his place at the service of the king. But, also in three days the baker would be hanged. You can imagine the joy of the one, and the sorrow of the other. One is given life, the other sentenced to death. Still, Joseph did a favor for both. Its easy to see why the cupbearer would be thankful to hear the news, but its not easy to see any reason for thankfulness from the baker. However, there is a good reason for thankfulness from both the cupbearer and the baker. For even the baker now has three days with which he might prepare himself, make his peace, and say his goodbyes. The interpretation of his dismal dream is still a gift from Joseph. On the third day he will now be expecting the horrible truth. In any case, only the cupbearer will be around to tell the king of Joseph's ability to interpret dreams. So, Joseph offers both of them his gift of dream interpretation, and then asks the one who will live beyond the next three days to remember him. However, after the third day, once Joseph's prophecy is proven true, the text says the cupbearer did not remember Joseph.
Like the cupbearer, we often find ourselves forgetting the people who have been helpful to us.
In today's world it seems we are losing the social skill of maintaining friendships. Friends, once, were people to whom we had maintained a close enough relationship that they could be stop over uninvited and be treated like family. They could bear your joy and your sorrow with you and you would offer the same in return. Friends were once an extension of the family. Now, when I turn on Facebook, I learn that I have 178 "friends"---many of whom I barely know, or I know them through my work or some other shared special interest. I know that I do not have 178 friends, and I do not need to sign onto Facebook in order to maintain my friendships. Besides what kind of a friendship would that be, if indeed the only sharing of anything between us was that which is shared on Facebook....not much of one. It seems to me that Facebook should more appropriately call its relationships acquaintances, rather than friends. Don't rely on things such as Facebook to maintain good healthy friendships--they take much more work and effort than that.
Who are your friends?
Who has been there for you, and could trust that you'll be there for them?
Who are the people to whom you can tell your hurts, share your joys?
Who is welcome to just stop by your house anytime, as if they are family?
How well do you remember them?
Do you remember their birthdays, anniversaries?
When's the last time you thanked them?
Do you take them for granted?
You have a friend in Jesus---You know the song---
What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and grief to bear!
What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit;
Oh, what needless pain we bear--all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
One of Jesus' final requests was when he said from the Last Supper, "Do this in remembrance of me." Jesus asks for us to remember him, remember what he has done for us. This remembrance is like the request from Joseph to the cupbearer. Once you are free and the Lord has saved you, remember....so that you don't take for granted what your friend, Jesus, has done for you. And, remember with thankfulness that you always have this friend in Jesus---and you wont find him on Facebook. :-)
There's another song that I'd like to quote here. It's by Michael W. Smith, and its called Friends.
Friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them,
And a friend will not say never"cause" the welcome will not end.
Now it's hard to let you go,
But, in the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends.
Lord Jesus, I have been given so many blessings from so many people. Let me never forget the people who passed in and out of my life with a bond of friendship. Likewise, help me to maintain good and healthy friendships today. Let me be thankful, helpful, and kind. Lord, you have befriended me with the most sincere and eternal friendship possible. You have promised to not forget me in your kingdom, let me never forget you. In Jesus' name. Amen
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