Whatever Happened to the Carpenter?

It’s a cold, clear, spring evening in 40 A.D.  On a hillside outside Bethlehem, a group of shepherds warm themselves around a flickering campfire as the night settles in.  Having discussed the hardships of the day, their conversation turns to the prophecies in the Scriptures concerning the coming Messiah.

 Many ideas, interpretations, and thoughts are shared until someone asks, “Whatever happened to that carpenter from Nazareth that everyone thought was the Messiah?”  All is quiet until one man states, “I will tell you what I know, if you want to hear.”  Quickly they agree, “Yes, tell us about the Carpenter.”

Slowly he begins.  “It’s a sad story really.  Jesus, as was his name, had inherited his father’s carpentry business.  But one day he just left the carpentry business with no explanation.

“Some folks thought he was going into the wine business, because he had made some wine for a wedding that everyone said was the best they had ever tasted.  Word was his wine brought great joy.

“Tried the fishing business next.  Did quite well.  Though he never threw a net himself, he sure seemed to know where the fish were.  But no sooner had he started until he began speaking with his partners about becoming fishers of men, whatever that meant.

“After that he became a physician.  People said he healed all manner of disease.  Said he never carried any potions, medicines, herbs, or anything.  Sometimes he just touched them.  Sometimes he just gave the word and they were healed.

“They said he didn’t even need to be around the person; he could speak and they were healed.  Rumor was that one woman touched his garment and was made well.  Others said they actually saw him raise the dead to life.

“He started talking strangely about this time.  Spoke about being a shepherd though he never had any sheep.  Closest thing to a flock he ever had was that little group that followed him everywhere he went.  He told them about going to Jerusalem to die for his sheep.  It’s really sad because it seems he actually believed that.

“Went to Jerusalem and began confronting the religious leaders.  Caused a near riot one day when he began overturning the moneychangers tables while shouting about his father’s house being a house of prayer.

“End result was that the priests had him arrested and condemned to death.  It’s ironic that what he had said about himself came true.  It was a sad day when they crucified him, for many believed he really was the Messiah.”

Whatever happened to the Carpenter?  Some people say he’s still opening blind eyes, bringing joy to hearts, raising the dead, and healing those who would only let Him.