Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Genesis 40:23
Place the story of Joseph in prison alongside the story of Jesus on the cross, and you will see something of the unique glory of Jesus. Here are three contrasts that reveal His glory.
Joseph was innocent, but the thief was guilty
Joseph had a basis for his request that the cupbearer should remember him before the king. But the thief on the cross was guilty. “We are getting what our deeds deserve,” he confessed (Luke 23:41). He had no basis for his request, except the sheer mercy and compassion of Jesus. That’s our position before God. We are not innocent before God, but guilty like the thief.
The cupbearer forgot, but Jesus remembered
When the cupbearer was restored to the palace, he forgot Joseph (Gen. 40:23). But when the thief says to Jesus, “Remember me,” Jesus does not forget. Jesus says to him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43).
Do you see the contrast? Joseph was innocent, and the one who held the cup forgot him. The thief on the cross was guilty, and the One who drank the cup remembered him.
Joseph announced the future, but Jesus changed it
Joseph, a prophet, could announce that the cupbearer would be saved and the baker would be condemned, but that is all. Jesus is more than a prophet. He is the Savior! He can change the destiny of a condemned person. He can give the condemned baker the destiny of the restored cupbearer. He can put the guilty back in service of the King.
Jesus is full of mercy toward sinners like us who know that we are guilty. If you trust yourself to Him, He will not forget you. He will not abandon you. He will walk with you through your greatest fears and bring you into a future that is greater than you ever dared to dream.
How do these contrasts help you see more clearly who Jesus is and what He can do for you?
