Joseph raised up his arm and held his palm out flat above the goblet. Everyone looked on, unmistakable awe on their faces. The once crystal clear water within the cup was not a shimmering pale red, undeniably the fermented juice from a grape. This man, standing before them all, had turned water into wine. Joseph looked up into the eyes of the onlookers. His unkempt grey hair lay in tassels over his withered and scarred face, his beard mattered and grey.
What happened next?
1000 BC
The people of Athens gathered around Joseph in this small town, praising him and saying that Aphrodite herself must have given this man a gift. Only she, the goddess of beauty and love, would have wished such a thing upon a man as to be able to turn humble water into a wonderful feast drink. For years to come, people would know the name of Joseph and a pillar in Athens would mark this man who spoke to the gods.
50BC
The new leaders of Rome will not tolerate such an abominable act. The door to the house you are in is knocked down by a centurion, and a sword is unsheathed from a warriors side. A wise man from the local political party warks into the fuss, asking for quiet. Slowly surveying Joseph in all his might, he speaks with carefully chosen words. You are accused of mixing with the pagan gods, the same gods that were outlawed in this town. You are to be put to death for blasphemy.
20 AD
Joseph is heralded as the son of god; truly a divine spirit, there cannot be any other explanation. His word is the holy word, and what he says must be correct. People will flock to see him and listen to his teachings. This act of turning water to wine will surely be just one of many miracles such a master can provide. For millennia this man will be known as a true prophet.
1500AD
The onlookers begin to tremble and back away, avoiding eye contact as much as they can. Surely, in a time like this, this Joseph must be a witch. The local townspeople rally up the folk, and capture him, dragging him into the town square. Tying you up until your arms bleed from the burn of the rope, you are strapped to a replica cross and then set on fire. The townsfolk cheer and taunt you as you scream in agony, slowly dying from the burns and tears of your flesh.
2009 AD
Joseph must have a pretty good lab to be able to do that. Got a PhD in something?
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