Restoration Stories

A devotion written for our church to complement the Sunday sermon. 

Restoration Stories 

Genesis 33:1-17, John 21:1-14  

The sermon theme for this month has been money stories.  We all have such stories, and as we experience God’s grace, we see ourselves and our money in new and potentially liberating ways. 

Money stories can be horrible when they involve family betrayal. Disputes over inheritance, failure to provide financial support, loans that resulted in hurt and power struggles: these and other experiences can split families for a long time. 

The long narrative of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:19-33:17 and 35:29) is rich in detail, drama, and psychological insight. First, Esau gives up his birthright for some bread and stew. His “birthright” were his legal rights in the family as the oldest son. Esau is absurdly unconcerned while Jacob is opportunistic. Eventually, Jacob and his mother Rebecca conceive a scheme to trick Isaac into giving Jacob the fatherly blessing that he (Isaac) would normally give the oldest son. Even though Esau seems shallow and foolish, he is understandably hurt that his family has plotted against him. He promises to kill Jacob, who flees. 

Have you ever postponed, perhaps for many years, an encounter with someone, because you don’t know how they’ll respond to you? It’s human nature to avoid confrontation rather than feel shame or hurt pride or even danger. I admit that I’ve sought reconciliation with certain people and afterward felt foolish for trying. That, however, was simply hurt feelings and disappointment. Jacob feared for his life!    

But in many situations, reconciliation is possible, especially when God arrives the timing and prepares the hearts of both persons. After many years, the time came for Jacob to meet Esau, and Jacob was naturally apprehensive (33:1-17). What a shock to Jacob that Esau is welcoming and favorable. Jacob even compares Esau’s face to the face of God!  

The “negotiations” between the two brothers is interesting. Jacob gives Esau some of his flock, which Esau refuses, but Jacob insists. Jacob, in turn, declines to have Esau or some of Esau’s men to accompany him. Perhaps Jacob is being cautious, perhaps he wants no strings attached to his gift. 

One of my Bible commentaries notes that “continued conflict between the two is not a necessary future… no matter how severe the conflict. Reconciliation among brothers remains a possibility, even if that does not finally eventuate in a close relationship.” Jacob and Esau remain separate but they can communicate and cooperate. 

I don’t want to be superficial in my thinking about this story. God’s grace is truly amazing and wonder-working, yet some human pain never goes away. The broken situation can never been put back the way it was. Jacob took advantage of Esau. Yet God’s grace transformed both men across the years. The story still touches our hearts. 

Our story of Jesus is the last post-resurrection story in John’s gospel. Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, and other disciples are fishing. Jesus calls to them from the lake shore and tells them to cast their net differently. They catch 153 fish and knew immediately that the man on the shore was the Lord. Jesus cooks them breakfast. The story continues with Jesus offering Peter a new beginning.  

Read in the context of the Jacob and Esau story, Jesus incorporates the best of both brothers. His gracious, open-hearted presence surprises the disciples, who likely still feel the guilt of abandoning him. Jesus also brings gifts: a meal, and also a lot of fish that the disciples—fishermen by occupation—can presumably sell for a nice return. 

The disciples forsook Jesus to his enemies—a worse betrayal than what Jacob did to Esau—but Jesus came right back to them and loved them deeply. How lovely to know that we never have to worry about becoming estranged from the Lord. God’s unfailing love gives us peace with God and opens up possibilities of grace and restoration with one another. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, restore us and forgive when we lose our way amid life’s choices and pain.  Help us grow in love through bitter and happy times alike. Let our stories flow into Your story! Amen.