When Jacob’s sons returned from Egypt with food, Jacob was in no mood to allow Benjamin to return with them in order to buy more grain. But eventually their food supply ran out, so the brothers begged Jacob to allow them to take Benjamin to Egypt, knowing that otherwise they would not be given any food. Finally, Judah stepped forward and said, “I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever” (Genesis 43:9). Years earlier none of the brothers had been willing to take responsibility for what happened to Joseph, but at this time one stepped forward to personally accept responsibility for the life of his youngest brother.
Taking responsibility is one of the major steps toward spiritual maturity. We must be willing to accept responsibility for doing what needs to be done and accept responsibility when things do not go as they should. One of the hardest things to do is to step forward and show a willingness to be active in the work of the church. It is a great responsibility that few ever consider. Taking responsibility is hard because it opens you up to have to take blame, but a willingness to accept both burdens is part of what spiritual maturity is all about (1 Corinthians 15:58).
