The Story of Joe
Joe was not as young as he used to be, and worse still, he was to be sold again. Joe was still strong, but his master had sold some of his land and didn’t need as much help. As he was riding into town on market day to be sold, the indignity and injustice of his situation brought a resolve to his heart. He would not work. He would never work as a slave again. He would rather die, be tortured and beaten rather than submit himself again to the commands of another master.
The auction proceeded and he was placed on the block. “How much for this stout
fellow”? “He’s got a lot of good years in him”, shouted the auctioneer. As Joe heard those words his resolve strengthened, and suddenly, as if propelled out of his mouth came the words, “I will not work, I will not obey”. The auctioneer, though surprised by this sudden outburst, continued. An old gentleman, with kindly features in the back of the crowd, shouted his bid to the auctioneer. Then there was another bid, and again Joe’s involuntary declaration came forth, “I will not work, I will not obey”. A stunned quiet fell over the market place. The auctioneer quickly, to avoid further embarrass-ment, shouted, “Any other bids”? The kindly gentleman upped the previous bid and the auctioneer quickly said, “Going, going, gone: sold to the gentleman in the rear”.
Joe was not a violent man but his life had changed. With each moment his resolve
only deepened. He would probably be hanged, but he would be free. As he was directed to the carriage, he again exclaimed his declaration of independence, he would not work, he would not obey. As the carriage turned into the plantation, Joe was startled at its beauty and how clean the slave quarters appeared. Everyone seemed so happy. His resolve faltered but a moment, and then as he stepped down from the carriage to the greeting of the kindly old master, he said, “I will not work, I will not obey”. The master looked at him with the kindest of expressions and said, “Joe, you don’t have to work for me.” “None of these people here are slaves.” “You see Joe; I bought you to set you free”. With that he handed him the paper declaring his freedom. There was a long pause, while the reality of those words sunk in. Then with a stammering tongue, Joe fell at the feet of the master and said - “I will serve you forever”. (Author unknown)
Joe owed the debt of servitude. However, he had determined to rebel. On being given his freedom (grace), what did he do? Grace provides the natural motivation to do what the demands of the law can never accomplish. So why not turn to the moral atmosphere of grace to motivate you?
Patrick Fagenstrom, 7/13
The auction proceeded and he was placed on the block. “How much for this stout
fellow”? “He’s got a lot of good years in him”, shouted the auctioneer. As Joe heard those words his resolve strengthened, and suddenly, as if propelled out of his mouth came the words, “I will not work, I will not obey”. The auctioneer, though surprised by this sudden outburst, continued. An old gentleman, with kindly features in the back of the crowd, shouted his bid to the auctioneer. Then there was another bid, and again Joe’s involuntary declaration came forth, “I will not work, I will not obey”. A stunned quiet fell over the market place. The auctioneer quickly, to avoid further embarrass-ment, shouted, “Any other bids”? The kindly gentleman upped the previous bid and the auctioneer quickly said, “Going, going, gone: sold to the gentleman in the rear”.
Joe was not a violent man but his life had changed. With each moment his resolve
only deepened. He would probably be hanged, but he would be free. As he was directed to the carriage, he again exclaimed his declaration of independence, he would not work, he would not obey. As the carriage turned into the plantation, Joe was startled at its beauty and how clean the slave quarters appeared. Everyone seemed so happy. His resolve faltered but a moment, and then as he stepped down from the carriage to the greeting of the kindly old master, he said, “I will not work, I will not obey”. The master looked at him with the kindest of expressions and said, “Joe, you don’t have to work for me.” “None of these people here are slaves.” “You see Joe; I bought you to set you free”. With that he handed him the paper declaring his freedom. There was a long pause, while the reality of those words sunk in. Then with a stammering tongue, Joe fell at the feet of the master and said - “I will serve you forever”. (Author unknown)
Joe owed the debt of servitude. However, he had determined to rebel. On being given his freedom (grace), what did he do? Grace provides the natural motivation to do what the demands of the law can never accomplish. So why not turn to the moral atmosphere of grace to motivate you?
Patrick Fagenstrom, 7/13