Short Stories

---

Joseph had never had cause to be sleepless at night, but his matrimonial dilemma is biting deeper into his mind. He stared blankly into the darkness of his room, as he lay sleepless. His mind wandered from his present marital misery to the passionate bliss he experienced when he first got to know Mary. The day’s event is one thing to ponder about. Sounds incredible. Never heard of before. A woman let alone a virgin, being pregnant without sleeping with a man. It was hard to believe. What makes it most difficult was that he could never imagine that Mary could be deceiving him. She wasn’t that kind of girl. She was decent in outlook, speech and character. A well-cultured damsel, with a healthy and compassionate heart. Whenever opportuned, she extended a helping hand to the needy and opened her arms to the poor. Her worship and devotion always inspired him. He often found comfort in her words even though she was much younger than he is. Looks could be deceptive, but Mary had such that’s deeply rooted in an arsenal of inner beauty.
And that was the first thing that caught his attention.

A relative of Mary had referred Mary’s mother to Joseph, based on the satisfaction he got from Joseph’s technical expertise on a carpentry job Joseph did for him. He was taking a break from the first few hours of work for the day under his shed, when Mary came calling for his service. Her beauty was evident. But there was something else about her that impressed him that moment. Was it the way she presented herself? Was it her simplicity or carriage? It is one thing to merely admire a woman. It’s another thing to have feelings for her. Joseph’s feelings were more of affection than admiration. He talked with her as she took him to her house. Her neighbourhood wasn’t far from his, and the house wasn’t much of a peasant’s.

After he had done the woodwork repairs, she offered him water to wash his face, hands and feet, and a towel to dry them. He observed the way she related with and took care of her mother. She was an excellent home-keeper. She looked even more beautiful in her home than outside. She appeared timid and frail, but her character made up for all lapses. He savoured her hospitality and adored her humility. But more than that, he enjoyed her brief company. Though quite young, Joseph thought she would make a good wife. On several occasions Joseph would deliberately take a longer route to the wood market, at the time he had known damsels would be at the wells to get water, just to get a glimpse of her. Mary sometimes caught his gaze, but minded her work. Sometime later, he would help her at the well and walk her home.

Jacob, Joseph’s father, was pleased with Joseph’s news of meeting the girl he wanted to marry. Arrangements were made. Family meetings held. And eventually, the betrothal ceremony took place. It was small but colourful. Joseph vividly remembered the look on Mary’s face the moment when he offered her the cup of wine, symbolizing his proposal. Her brief moment of hesitation seemed to him like eternity. Her bright sparkling eyes, wet with tears, spelt fear and uncertainty as they gazed deeply into his, questioning and searching for assurance. Joseph felt an awesome relief when she took the cup and drank the wine. The guests cheered and celebrated. Prayers were offered for a successful courting period. It had been successful quite alright so far. But now, it seemed like the blessings were asked to last only a while.

Joseph thought of the next step to take. First, he could accept the pregnancy for the sake of his love for Mary, and consequently save her life. But this option would only be considered after an investigation and identification of the true father of the child, if it is truly divine – which he considers impossible.

On the other hand, he could deny the pregnancy and quit their relationship quietly, so as not to cause public awareness. Afterall, the child is not his. Eventually the pregnancy would become obvious, and Mary will be punished by being stoned to death.

Israel as a nation revered one thing – the law; understood one language – force; feared one person – God. The law does not permit a man to continue marital journey with a woman whom he had discovered to have done something shameful. A letter of divorce should be issued immediately. Force is a syndrome that accompanies justice even in the smallest Jewish village. Joseph could go by these two factors. But the aspect of God filled his mind with uncertainty. Here he was in the valley of decision. Respect the law and loose Mary, or believe God through Mary’s words and save her. No situation could be more complex than this. Two strong customary Jewish tenets standing against each other. Which was supreme? Which would he choose to follow?

Whichever his final option is, the community’s judgmental gavel will still be slammed heavily against them - particularly Mary. He wasn’t sure whether to ask God for a sign to prove Mary’s innocence. He knew he still loved her. But he couldn’t go ahead to marry a woman carrying another man’s baby. The bitterness of the discovery shoved him to his ultimate decision – divorce. It was painful. So painful. He closed his eyes and thought of what will become of Mary, if they part ways. She’ll be executed.
And he would be there, watching and helpless.
Stone after stone, they threw at her. Her cries for understanding and tolerance fell on deaf ears. Her wails increased with sharp cries of stinging pain with every stone throw. Her flesh brutally pierced by rocks loaded with judgment. Her skin being ripped open. Her joints dismantled. Her limbs maimed. No matter how much she cuddled, the stone missiles bombarded every part of her. She was helpless and dying. It was more like trampling on a delicate flower. Joseph had heard of people being stoned to death, but witnessing one firsthand – particularly, someone he knew, and worse still, his very wife – opened his eyes to discover that stoning is a most gruesome way to die. He watched in horror as a flying stone cracked her skull.
He twitched.
Another rock thubbed into her stomach.
He turned away.
Her screams were loaded with excruciating pain. To Joseph it seemed no one else could hear her screams amidst the watching crowd. All her cries seemed to be directed towards him alone. He alone could hear her. He alone could hear the trailing voice in her screams. The voice was hers, silent and dying. But he could hear it amidst her screams and the thudding of the stones. She was saying something. He couldn’t pick the words, but he could hear the voice. He turned back to look at her. Her eyes were on him. The same eyes that asked for assurance when he offered her the cup of wine; the same eyes that pleaded for love and care, for trust and hope for a blissful marriage, now cries with betrayal.

“I trusted you.” It said. “I accepted the cup because I trusted you.” Her trembling right hand stretched towards him. The same hand that received the cup, reached out for help and consolation. Joseph’s heart skipped. His entire body experienced a hot wave of muscular spasm.

“Isn’t she your wife?” Someone asked behind him. He turned back to observe a stranger. At first, he didn’t know whether to answer him or not. But for courtesy sake he did.
“She was.”
“She was?”
“Yes, she was.”
“Oh I see… another one of those promiscuous girls again.”
“Maybe.” Joseph said.
“Maybe?” the stranger asked again.
“Yes maybe. She’s pregnant but not for me.”
“And have you inquired about the father of the child?”
“She said it’s… God’s.”
“God’s?”
“Yes… sounds absurd.”
“Indeed.” The stranger paused for a moment then continued. “But it could be true. You never considered it, did you?”
“What?”
“You don’t believe it do you?”
“Who will? That’s why I said maybe.”
“But I do.”
“You do?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know her?”
“Yes I do.”

Joseph thought and was about to ask if the stranger was the father of the child, but he stopped and said, “You probably know something that I or other people here do not know.”
“Yes. And that’s why I feel that justice is not complete without proper investigation.” The stranger said.
“There’s no way to prove otherwise, unless the man is produced.” Joseph pointed.
“And when there’s no man?”
“Well… we’ll just continue with our form of justice.”
“How pathetic. So you consent to this execution?”
Joseph looked at him queerly. “Aren’t you a Jew?” He asked.
“I’m not from here.” He answered. “I come from a distant land, where we don’t see things through the eyes you people see them.”
Joseph didn’t even bother to ask further where the stranger came from. Probably they have different laws and worshipped other gods.
“And we strongly believe in God too.”
Joseph gave him a queer look again. “You do?”
“Yes.”
“It doesn’t look like you do.”
“Really?”
“Frankly.”
“If you believe Him that much, why don’t you ask him for a sign.”
“A sign?”
“Yes a sign; a sign to prove that the child is His.”
Joseph knew he couldn’t do that. He tried to dodge the question. “Look I’m not feeling well right now.”
“Yes… I can understand.” The stranger said, nodding. “Your wife is being executed right in front of you. It feels really bad.” The stranger mocked. “How strong is your faith Joseph?”
“Well… it’s strong.”
“Then ask God for a sign and save your wife. Get your conscience clear of every uncertainty, and be sure the child is not God’s before you take the wrong step. Ask it either in the deepest depths, or in the highest heights above. Ask for anything you like. Make your request as difficult as you possibly can.”
“I can’t do that.” Joseph admitted.
“Why not? Don’t you have faith? Don’t you want a proof?”
“I can’t put the Lord to the test like that.”
“So why are you trying God’s patience?”
‘Trying God’s patience? How?”
“Listen to me Joseph, son of David. You’re not satisfied to exhaust people’s patience. Will you exhaust God’s patience too?”

Joseph was mixed with surprise and confusion. How did he know my name? He thought. Well everybody knows me now as the husband of the executed Mary. What a debut for popularity. “I don’t understand.” He said.
“You wouldn’t believe his message or what he has chosen to do. Yet you wouldn’t ask for a sign.”
“Look, I am a descendant of Abraham, a partaker of God’s covenant to Israel. I believe the Lord to the letter. But I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“Very well then, let me remind you of a few things. The Lord God himself will give you a sign; a virgin will conceive a child, and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
“Isaiah… those were the words of the prophet Isaiah.”
“True. Now the Lord your God will raise up a Prophet from among you… just like Me. I see him but not in the present time. I behold him, but far in the distant future…”
“Are you a prophet?” Joseph interrupted.
“No… just a messenger.”

Joseph was trying to ponder on the stranger’s words. He turned back at the execution scene. Mary was all covered with dust, flesh and blood, becoming a piece of tattered flesh.

“Let me ask you something Joseph. Who sanctioned this execution?”
“The law.”
“Who gave the law?”
“The prophet Moses.”
“Who gave Moses the law?”
“El’ohim.”
“Who holds a scepter Joseph?”
“A ruler… a king.”
“A law-giver.”
“Right… yes.”
“And what does the scepter represent?”
“The law.”
“Listen, a Star will rise from Jacob; a scepter will emerge from Israel. The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs. The one whom all nations will obey.”
“And your point is…?”
“You cannot kill The Law with the law.”
Joseph’s mind was racing. The Law… a Scepter… a Star… a virgin… a Son… Immanuel… from among you. Mary’s a virgin as far as Joseph knew. She could be carrying a son. God’s son… the star. The Law.
“What are you saying? Is there another law?” Joseph asked, fighting confusion.
“The law is The Law in itself.”
“So how does the law kill the law?”
“You see Joseph, for every law there is a law-giver.”
“Yes.”
“In this case there is a law, a written law that is, but no physical giver.”
“Apparently.”
“But imagine what happens when the law-giver himself comes.”
“In the flesh?”
“Yes.”
“It’s impossible. No man will see him and live. Everyone will die.”
“Oh no Joseph. Men will live because of Him.”

Joseph thought for a second.

“When the law-giver comes, there won’t be any need for the written law anymore, because he himself is the law – the fulfillment of the law. And the government will rest on his shoulders. His royal titles shall be; Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His ever expanding powerful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David. The passionate commitment of the Lord God almighty will guarantee this.”

Suddenly Joseph began to understand.
“He himself is the Law; not the law that instructs and punishes, but the Law that saves and offers life. So stand back and behold the emergence of another era, for a new dispensation is about to begin. A dispensation… of grace.”
“The Messiah.” Joseph said, with increasing surprise, almost in a whisper.
“Yes… the Messiah.” The stranger said. “Watch and be obedient for his herald is about to be born.”
“Oh God!” Joseph said, obviously overwhelmed.

“So don’t be afraid to take Mary home as your wife. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. For the child she carries is from the Holy Spirit.”

Joseph looked back at the dying Mary. The stoning hadn’t ceased.
“Don’t let this happen.” The stranger said.
“No.” Joseph whispered. He looked back at the stranger, but he had vanished. Joseph was suddenly afraid. He looked back at the execution scene again, but everyone had also vanished – including Mary. No executors. No spectators. No elders. Not a soul was in sight. Not even the heaps of stone were there.

“Joseph.” He spun around to see Mary looking fresh and beautiful.
“Mary.” He said. He slowly walked towards her. She didn’t look hurt. No wounds. No cuts. Not even a bruise. She looked different. Radiant. Glorified. Her beautiful eyes sparkled. They weren’t questioning, or afraid, or crying of betrayal. They were sure, joyful and eternal. He took her hands in his. Their robes flowing in the gentle breeze. He closed his eyes, feeling the refreshing breeze blowing away the fog of uncertainties in their relationship.
He opened his eyes again to the darkness of the night in his room.

He looked around himself to be sure that what had just happened was merely a dream. He hadn’t known when he fell asleep. But he felt different. Different from the way he felt before he slept. Was it the dream? It was so real. Particularly his conversation with the stranger… no! Not a stranger. He said he was a messenger… he spoke the words of the prophets. An angel… it was an angel! It looked so real. It was like it really happened – not just in the dream, but right there in his room. He still felt the celestial presence. The message still echoed in his mind. “…take her home as your wife. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

“…now the Lord your God will raise up a Prophet from among you… just like me.” A part of the message echoed again. The words “from among you”, sounds to him like from within him… from his house, from his lineage… David’s lineage. And the words “just like me”, sounds like God himself speaking…“just like Me… just like God.”

Mary was right after all. She had said the child is the Messiah, and God will protect her, since God himself is the father. He knew better than to interfere with God’s business. If God had chosen Mary, then so be it. But God wouldn’t come down and father the child. He had to use a man too. And that was why God chose him. How could God have chosen him of all people? It was overwhelming. That God would involve him in the coming of the Messiah.

Joseph sat up on his bed and rested his face in his hands. God had confirmed his word by giving him more than just the sign he was afraid of asking for. God gave him definite instructions: take her as your wife; father the child. He opened his eyes and looked around the room again. A sight in his peripheral vision caught his attention. He looked towards the window. There in the starless sky was a white spot. He walked to the window and observed it. It was a star… a bright star.

“The Star,” he said. The weight of the responsibility began to dawn on him. He fell to his knees as tears welled up in his eyes. His heart was filled with peace and beat in worship to God. His entire being shook as he cried. Joy filled his soul as he knelt there. The awesome presence was still there.
“Help me, oh Lord,” he cried. “Help me.”

A still voice whispered in response, “Trust in the Lord, and you will see the salvation of our God.”

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE