The Potter's Masterpiece Part 1

In the vast Liverpool Station thousands of Londoners hurried to their respected trains and carriages, the smoke and steam filled the air, but for one arriving passenger that June morning in 1886 the sights and sounds meant nothing for he was too exhausted to think about these things. This man however was quite strangely clothed, on his head he wore a large peaked cap under which hung a thick heavy veil which covered his entire face all the way to his neck, His Body was completely covered in a long cloak which hung down to his feet which were clad in huge slipper like shoes, which were more like big canvas bags. As he limped slowly through the station supported only by a cane held in his left hand which was the only part of his body exposed to view. He did not know where he was going nor did he know anyone who would take him in. As he walked pondering these two questions a crowd of curious spectators began to form around him, the man stopped and stood still hoping that they would go away and leave him alone, but they did not, the crowd grew larger, the people would call “What do you have hidden under that cloak?” another would say “whatever it is it sure does smell” and many other rude comments. The man knew if he said anything they would not be able to understand him so he tried to walk away, but realized he was blocked in by the ever growing mob that surrounded him, panic was setting in and he did not know what to do, when through the crowd pushed a policeman who told the man to come with him, as the policeman was leading the man away other policemen arrived and set about breaking up the mob. The policeman half dragged the man into an empty waiting room where after the man had collapsed the officer questioned him but could not understand over the squeals and other sounds that the man made. This man is Joseph Merrick also known as The Elephant Man.










You may be wondering why I have decided to post about such a strange man. Well you have to know who this “strange” man is in order to understand and I hope appreciate who he was and what message God has presented to us through this remarkable man.





Joseph Carey Merrick was born in Leicester England. He was the firstborn child to the Merrick family. His mother adored him while his father treated with indifference; this could be contributed to his being conceived before his parents were wed. Joseph seemed to be a healthy boy until his 2ND year, when his mother noticed a slight swelling under his upper lip, which then grew hard and spread to his cheek turning his lip inside out. As he grew older and his condition worsened, his mother turned to the scriptures to understand and also cope with her son’s condition. In answer to his questions why he looked this way, she loving taught him about God’s absolute sovereignty and unfailing love, her own conviction and belief lead him to understand God had a purpose in giving him his deformity. As Joseph grew older and read for himself about God’s detailed planning of each individual (physical appearance and personality) before he or she is born. “My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:15-16)


As Joseph grew his condition worsened, by the age of five his right arm and leg had swollen, large lumps or bone began to form all over his head, his feet were becoming enlarged. The lump on his head eventually became so enlarged he could not see out of his right eye. His skin in various places became bumpy and discolored. One bony mass on his right side became so large and doubled over so that he could not hear out of that ear. All this was hard on Joseph but he knew he could always count on his mother's tender love and care. When Joseph's leg became injured in a fall he could not run as fast as he could before (which was not very fast) and the boys on the street would not let him play in any of the games so they chased him away. Joseph never wanted to force himself on anyone or go where he was not wanted, so he began to spend more time by himself.


When we as Christians begin to look on what God has put on the inside of a person rather than the outward appearance of an individual, that is when we can begin to see how best to help that person and work with them to meet God's goals for their lives as well as for yourself.



But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, Why have you made me like this? Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? Romans 9:20-21

And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. Psalms 119:73

But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him, for the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18




Part 2 coming soon



Please let me know what you think.
Your Brother in Christ
Joel


Resources from the Joseph Merrick Story published by The Institute in Basic Life Principles, you can purchase a copy of this book by going to their website http://store.iblp.org/products/HOF2/