Barlow
Over the next three years the boy kept his word and labored in Joseph’s shop every day but took no initiative, putting in just enough effort to squeak by. Jesus didn’t know it but things were about to change.
A young stranger rushed into the shop as Joseph struggled to lift a heavy door onto a pair of wooden saw horses while Jesus was gazing up at the roof of the barn as he absent-mindedly sanded the top of a just built table.
“Please let me help you with that door sir,” said the shabbily dressed youth who was about the same age as Jesus. He had curly black hair and the beginnings of a mustache and beard sprouting on a face that was a few shades lighter than most people of the area.
Without a further word the boy helped Joseph finish his work on that door and three more before Jesus finished smoothing his one table top.
“You’re a pretty good carpenter son, what’s your name?” Joseph asked.
“The whore I dropped out of didn’t keep me around long enough for a first suckle let alone give me a name. She dumped me at a tavern in Jerusalem where they kept and fed me, mostly just calling me ‘the kid’ or ‘brat’. Eventually the customers took to calling me the name of the bar, “Barlow” and it stuck, so I guess that’s my name.”
“You’re new here. When did you get into town?”
“I’ve been wandering for close to a year sir, ever since I left the tavern where I was abandoned. I guess I’m looking for something I’ve never had; perhaps a home. Four days ago I arrived here and have been mucking stables in return for eats. In one of the stables I saw a sturdy wooden bench. The owner said you made it for him. He said you’re a fine craftsman and that you might need some help. I was hoping maybe I could work for you in exchange for food and perhaps a corner to sleep in.”
Jesus casually listened to the conversation while dawdling with his table top. Putting down his sanding tool he edged closer to Joseph and the newcomer.
“I’m Joseph and that’s my son Jesus, and yes we can use some help. I’ve got a job for you Barlow and we’ll fix up a nice room for you here in the shop. As for food, you’ll eat well, and you’ll dine with the family; my wife Mary as well as Jesus and his younger brothers and sisters.
“You won’t regret it sir. I’ll be a great help and I’m happy to be here doing the Lord’s work.”
“What do you mean by saying carpentry is the Lord’s work?” interrupted Jesus angrily.
“Hi Jesus. I heard about you and I want to learn from you too. But you might be able to learn something from me as well. Carpentry is the Lord’s work. So is farming, mining, sewing, cooking, and anything that people do in their day to day lives. Not everyone can be a Rabbi or a great teacher. But we all serve God in our own way. Another thing; a spiritual leader has to have a flock. Otherwise it would be a bunch of Rabbis preaching to a bunch of Rabbis. How do you think that would work out?”
Jesus laughed in spite of himself and had to agree, saying….
“That’s an excellent point Barlow.”
Looking at the poorly dressed boy who was about the same size and age as himself, Jesus was suddenly aware that he had found a kindred spirit. The pair became fast friends. And to his amazement Jesus discovered that working alongside Barlow, he began to enjoy carpentry work.
Over time, the shop thrived as never before. There was more work coming in than the three of them could handle working six days a week- they rested of course on the Sabbath. Joseph hired more workers. Their tables, chairs, cabinets, benches and such, were so highly prized that soon even the Roman Government came knocking on the barn door with fistfuls of orders.
Barlow and Jesus came up with an improved method of joining wooden sections without the use of the heavy, awkward iron nails of the era. Employing their system the boys were able to craft boxes, chairs, tables, doors and much, much more without one single iron spike being driven through the wood. In this manner they avoided the unsightliness and the damage often caused by the crude nails of the period.
The joints of their bureaus and drawers and such were connected by dowels driven into slightly smaller pre-made holes. By forcing the dowels into the tinier area, Barlow and Jesus were able to fabricate seamless furniture that looked as though it had been constructed from a single block of wood.