Somewhere along the line, Joseph chose to live. He did not let his brothers actions or their jealousy or the evil in their hearts overcome his future. He chose to live. A long time back, before this meeting was even imagined, Joseph knew a forgiveness in his heart. The evil done to him would not determine his future.
Forgiveness is a state of being beyond the anger and hatred, beyond vengeance.
Forgiveness is a state of being that acknowledges and goes on. A few weeks ago, the scripture from Luke talked about Jesus telling his community that he may not be sent to them, that his gifts and where they would be used were in God's hands, in God's direction. The response from his home town was rage. That is the character of forgiveness. Letting go, truly letting go and moving into the future.