When the work of caring for the animals was finished, it was time for the blacksmith’s work.
“Lately, most of my jobs are fixing farm tools,” Jonathan said.
“It’s cheaper to buy new ones at the big town market.
But there are many orders for metal decorations for furniture.
People seem to have a little more room in their lives now,
so they care more about decorating their homes.
I’m good at making small things, so I get many requests.
I can work with gold and silver, too.
Back when I lived in Troas, I had quite a good reputation.
This is one of my best pieces.”
Jonathan showed Luke a beautiful ornament—
a silver carving with a small golden apple set into it.
“It’s beautiful…” Luke said softly.
“I want to make something like this someday.”
He held it carefully and looked at it from every angle.
“Want to try?” Jonathan asked.
“But I don’t know how far you’ll get in three years.
For the first year, you’ll do the simple work.
If you plan to become a doctor, it’s good to learn to make your own tools, too.
To start with, you can try making blacksmith’s shears or a small knife.
I won’t teach you step by step.
Watch my work and learn with your eyes. All right?”
“Yes,” Luke answered.
“Today, watch carefully how I make the fire.
It’s a way that doesn’t waste charcoal.
This afternoon, we’ll go draw water from the well,
and then we’ll visit the carpenter’s house to get sawdust and wood scraps for kindling.
You’re coming with me.”
With that, Jonathan began his work.
The workshop was a small separate building made of bricks,
a square room filled with bright light from two large windows.
A donkey peeked in through one of them.
Blacksmith’s tools hung neatly on the walls.
Near the charcoal storage stood a brick forge and bellows for blowing air.
In the center of the room were a well-used anvil and a basin filled with water.
Everything was carefully arranged so it would be easy to use.
Near the window stood a large wooden chair,
probably for resting during breaks.
Jonathan talked to Luke as he worked, again and again.
If the people of Nazareth had seen this, they would have been surprised.
Jonathan was known as a quiet man.
After lunch, Jonathan harnessed the donkey to a cart.
He loaded two large clay jars and tied them tightly with rope so they wouldn’t fall.
Luke followed instructions carefully and helped, feeling a little nervous.
“You’re like a sheepdog,” Jonathan laughed.
The two of them slowly walked down the road that ran through the center of Nazareth.
Small square houses lined the way,
their white walls shining in the early summer sunlight.
On every rooftop stood a small shelter with a shade roof.
Jonathan’s house had one too.
“They’re booths,” Jonathan explained.
“Sleeping there on warm summer nights is wonderful.
Next month is the Festival of Booths.
Most people around here go up to Jerusalem for it.
All over the city, people build booths in their yards and along the roads
and live in them for a whole week.
It’s to remember how Moses led us out of slavery in Egypt.
It was my favorite festival when I was a child.
Children run from booth to booth, laughing and playing.
It’s a harvest festival too, so there’s lots of food—
too much, sometimes,” he said with a grin.
People they passed greeted them cheerfully.
“Jonathan, out for a walk with your grandson?”
the old men called out.
Young women looked at Luke with interest.
“Hello! You must be Luke. Dinah’s son, right?
How sweet you are.”
Many people stared in surprise.
Most of the children looked at Luke with curious eyes.
He looked Greek to them, after all.
And so, step by step,
Luke walked deeper into his new life in Nazareth.