It had been a few years since that last experience, the magi, angels, Gaspar, a few bales of hay and a stall to bear a king in. Now we see Jesus, God and man, at the age of approaching adulthood, which in Hebrew culture is the age of 13. We pick up a few years later from His birth.
“Joseph, how many are in your family.” Asked Mecana as they where walking up to Jerusalem for the yearly sacrifice. “Oh, just my wife and son.” Replied Joseph while pointed some yards back to Mary who was chatting with some other women. “Why?” “Well, I don’t know you that well, but you are the best carpentar and everyone knows it. And every time we go buy your place you have just all these kids laughing, playing and hanging around. Some of them even look like you.” Joseph laughed out loud. “No, Mecana those aren’t my kids. They just love the place and there’s enough to keep them busy.” “Plus I tell them stories, something they seem to thoroughly enjoy.” ” I suppose.” Said Mecana as together they crested one of the hills that seemed to never boast a top of reachable height. “You know, I make this trip every year.” Stated Mecana who after a few seconds pause resumed, “Every year I make sacrifice, and every year I am read to from the Prophets, letters those of Isaiah, with forth telling of the Immanuel.” “Joseph I am 57, I’m getting old, this trip is getting longer and still have I yet to see this King, this Redeemer who will take away all of my transgression, all of the need to sacrifice.” ” My existence on this earth bears no sign of a coming entity that will change the course of time forever. Doesn’t it strike you as odd?” Joseph didn’t really know what to say. He could see the scenario folding out in front of Him. Quickly he allowed himself to picture it. He saw himself telling his good friend that His son was the foretold fulfillment of prophecy and that an angel told him many things many times and such goes the list and that He was the Redeemer, that He was Immanuel. And at that moment Mecana would laugh so hard hiccups would follow and everyone would ask why Mecana was slowly dying, and Mecana would speak his disease to all and Joseph would be highly criticized. Not even to mention the trouble this would bring with the Sanhedrin council, if such word were to travel with accuracy to his name. Having thought of this in the space of two seconds he answered, ” To this day evidence has yet to be seen, in the world of the Christ, I would say tho, now would be a good time. Speaking of time, what time is it?” Said Joseph trying to push the cart in a new direction so to speak. Mecana obviously on a new course answered that it was just after the 2 hour. Joseph then took this opportunity to exit back to the line of women not far and discuss some things with Mary. While making his way back Joseph thought to himself, “Someone is going to find out, and when they do, it will not be an easy thing.”
