Learning to Wear a Dreamcoat

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

Joesph and his brothers are yet another biblical story about yet another dysfunctional family. In fact, the biblical writers seem to take great delight in using dysfunctional families as the paragons of the faith community--a point that tells us a great deal about the ancient history of the problems inherent to faith communities! 

Something struck me as intensely contemporary about this particular story, though. Joseph, son of Jacob, has always been intriguing, so much so that Andrew Lloyd Webber created one of his Broadway extravaganzas about him, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Preachers tend to focus on how God takes horrific human actions--brothers selling their sibling into slavery--and turns them to good--through Joseph comes eventual redemption for God's covenant family--Joseph rises to power in Egypt and is able to save his family from famine. But I would invite us to see this story in a new light. Focus on Joseph and his brothers. Here is a perfect meditation on the current relationship between the church and our culture.

Let me explain.

For decades now, there have been loud voices in the church claiming special privilege for the church. The church is the place of the dreamers--the people in tune with God; the people who have the vision for saving the world; and the people who have a right to judge the rest of the world because of that special knowledge. These loud voices have felt little or no compunction about drawing lines across humanity, declaring some in and some out; some favored, others condemned; and that they alone know the ways to ensure God's blessing.

To me, that sounds an awful lot like Joseph while he was living at home. He was the apple of his dad's eye--a favorite son. He literally wore his father's favor in front of his brothers, constantly reminding them of his position of power before them by wearing his special jacket--yes, I know the Hebrew says long sleeves, but I have always like the King James' many colors. And he dreamt. He dreamt the dreams of God. He saw things in new light--different light. He saw into the depths of things. But he had no idea how to use this special gift, only how to use its inherent specialness. He claimed his privilege arrogantly. He claimed to be lord of all he surveyed. He had no compunction at all about telling his brothers so.

No wonder they sold him. It is a wonder and a miracle they didn't go with their first inclination to just kill him and be done with it.

When the church takes a stance that is judgmental, dismissive, and hateful toward people who are different, outside, or other, we sound just like young Joseph. Yes, we have known a blessing from God, but we have no idea how to use it. We have no recognition that it is a blessing for all in all. We have no idea that this blessing is meant to be a beacon calling all the world into the loving embrace of the Waiting Father who loves all God's children--all seven billion of them--equally and fully. We cling only to our dreamcoats and make sure the world knows it.

No wonder the Nones increase daily. No wonder the church is seen as diametrically opposed to Jesus at its center. 

Joseph went to Egypt where he discovered the real power of his blessing. His dreams were meant to save. His dreams were meant as redemption. Oh, he got in trouble again and again, even when he tried to do good (avoiding Potiphar's wife who couldn't stand rejection and had him thrown in prison). But he learned his place. He was an instrument of God. He was a conduit for grace. He was meant to call everyone--Egyptian and brother alike--into the loving embrace of the Waiting Father. 

Being church can feel like being in Egypt. The world does not get who we are. We are growing older, smaller, and less important every day. Yet, a good many of us are awakening to who we are. White nationalists plan a march on Charlottesville, VA; so good pastors call their flocks and everyone else to an alternative meeting for prayer, unity, and commonality, silencing hate with compassion. Our President launches a tirade of words of war with a rival more than willing to match and raise the stakes; so good pastors call folks together for prayer, peace advocacy, and counsel for cooler wisdom. We may get into trouble even as we try to do good things, but we now know our purpose--call the children of God into the embrace of the Waiting Father.

We have the message of compassion. We are communities of God. That is not a privilege to lord over everyone else; it is a call into service for the benefit of everyone else.

We need to learn to wear our dreamcoats well.