The Childhood and Youth of Jesus · Part 2 · Chapter 282

Joseph takes the Child with him on his country trip. Little Jesus is maliciously assaulted. The shepherd boy's terrible reward. 17 August 1844

01] As the chief justice did not pursue the complaint against Joseph, the situation in Joseph's house was again in order,

02] when ten days later an occasion arose for Joseph to go to a nearby village to inspect a work site there.

03] The Child wanted to go with Joseph, who took Him along most gladly.

04] But the parents of the withered boy felt intense anger against Joseph and his Child.

05] In order to go to the village, Joseph had to pass the house of the boy's parents.

06] As Joseph and the Child came towards the house, they were noticed,

07] and the angry neighbour said to one of his most bratty servant boys, who usually tended his sheep:

08] "Look, the carpenter and his pestilential brat are coming up the footpath!

09] Go, and run down this path with all your might!

10] And when you reach the boy next to the carpenter, knock him over with all possible force, so that he drops down dead!

11] After that, the old scoundrel can prosecute me, – and I will then show him the law which states that children under twelve years cannot be held responsible in worldly matters!"

12] When the shepherd boy had heard this from his master, and as the latter had promised him a handsome reward if he killed the Child,

13] he suddenly went out of the room and ran towards Joseph in great haste.

14] At this moment, Anna's withered son, who was lying in bed, said to his father:

15] "O see, how quickly the shepherd boy is running to his death! – And what deep sorrow it will cause his parents!?

16] O father! – You should not have done that, for I tell you how I see it now: Joseph is righteous, and his Child is holy!"

17] Hereupon the brittle boy was silent, and his father pondered on his words.

18] At that moment, the shepherd boy reached the Child and knocked Him hard against the shoulder.

19] But the Child did not fall and spoke in great agitation to the shepherd boy:

20] "You did that for the sake of the reward! Now every worker is worthy of his wages, and – as the work, so the pay!

21] Your work was – to kill Me! – Well – so let death also be your reward!" –

22] Here the shepherd boy suddenly fell down and died.

23] Joseph was greatly horrified at this; but the Child spoke: "Joseph, do not be frightened for Me; for what happened to the boy here, will happen to the whole world, if they push us!" – Thereupon Joseph continued on his way and left the dead boy on the path,

according to the Child's will.