Genesis 37.   Israel had many sons, but Joseph was his favorite.  Imagine the sorrow he must have felt when his other sons brought him the coat that he had given Joseph – battered and bloodied.  No wonder he put on sackcloth and mourned for many days (34).  He felt as if he was going to grieve himself to death, and join his son in sheol (the place where the dead await the resurrection) (35).  Joseph was not really dead, but Israel did not know that. He felt a pain like God felt for us.  His favorite son – Jesus Christ – would really die  — and willingly.  He would take our sins with him on a cross and suffer and die to atone for them  — while his Father watched.

LORD, thank you for not sparing your favorite Son, but giving his life so that we might live.